Sept. 12, 2008
Final Stats
Contact: Brian McCann
ATHENS, Ohio - Danielle Ultican and Emily Arpidone each scored their first career goals as Cleveland State rallied in the closing minutes to claim a 2-1 win over Ohio University on Friday afternoon at OU's Cheesa Field.
Combined with a 2-1 win at Robert Morris last week, the Vikings have now won consecutive matches for the first time in school history, improving to 2-4 on the year. Ohio drops to 1-4.
"This was a nice battle to win," CSU head coach Derrek Falor said. "We played some good, solid defense for 90 minutes and made the most of our offensive opportunities today.
"We weren't exactly sharp, but we were tough. Our offense did not create many good chances, but unlike the first couple weeks of the year, we were able to finish.
"This team is really starting to come together. The lineup is gelling and we are getting some steady and consistent play. To go on the road and beat a Mid-American Conference team is something that we have never done before so that makes the win even a little more special.
"We need to enjoy the win tonight and come out tomorrow and get ready for a tough match against Eastern Kentucky on Sunday. We needed to win today and then come home on Sunday and build on that victory," Falor added.
The Vikings took a 1-0 lead into the intermission, courtesy of a goal at the 37:05 mark when Ultican, who started as a defender, scored for the first time in 33 career matches. Freshman Jordan King received a corner kick from Samantha Salamon and launched a shot on goal that was deflected into the middle by a Bobcat defender. A swarm of defenders closed on the ball, but not before Ultican was able to collect the ball long enough to arch a shot from 10 yards out that skipped off the post and in.
"Danielle was in the right place at the right time," Falor said. "Since it was late in the half and we had a corner, we had pushed as many players up offensively and Danielle proved to be the one left along. She saw the shot come to her and did a nice job finding a clear path to the goal."
Ohio evened the score in the 51st minute. Erika Schmitt made a long run down the right wing and launched a cross to the middle where Amy Lower played the ball past CSU netminder Kelly Zinkiewich to tie the match at 1-1.
The score would hold for most of the half as Ohio controlled the tempo of the contest, ultimately out-shooting CSU, 15-7 in the match and 10-1 in the second half.
The tide turned in the 85th minute when freshman Natalie Daniels beat several defenders in a run down the right side and was able to play the ball across the field long to Arpidone, who gathered the pass in just inside the 18-yard mark on the left side and blasted a shot into the net for the game-winning goal with just 5:19 left.
"We didn't apply much offensive pressure in the second half, but Natalie did a nice job of beating a defense that was playing up," Falor said. "I'm not sure how she was able to play the ball all the away across the field to Emily."
The assist raised Daniels' season scoring total to a team-best seven points, giving her three goals and one assist in six contests.
The Vikings return home to host Eastern Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 14 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Krenzler Field.
