Oct. 8, 2010
Final Stats
Contact: Brian McCann
CHICAGO, Ill. - Valerie Stahl and Natalie Daniels each scored goals and the Viking defense limited first place Loyola to just two shots on goal as the Cleveland State blanked the Ramblers, 2-0, on Friday night.
The win improved the Vikings to 7-5-2 on the year and 3-0-1 in league play while Loyola dropped into third place tie with Detroit with a 4-9-1 overall record and 2-1-1 league mark. CSU has nine points to share the league lead with Milwaukee.
"This is exactly what we needed," CSU head coach Derrek Falor said. "We came out strong and really set the tone tonight. We did a great job of controlling the ball, especially in the middle third, and keeping it away from our end.
"Our forwards were great tonight. The found the open spaces and made themselves great targets which really got our offense going."
Loyola controlled play early, recording five shots, including two on goal, in the first 15 minutes of the match.
Cleveland State regrouped to hold the Ramblers without a shot over the final 30 minutes of the half and despite being out-shot 14-9, the Vikings did a shot on goal in the final 60 minutes.
"Our defense has played well all season long and tonight was another example," Falor said. "The midfielders controlled the central third and when Loyola came at us, our defenders shut them down and turned the play the other way."
The Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute when following a Daniels corner kick, Loyola goalkeeper Katie Groesch couldn't corral a loose ball in the box. It was deflected it to Stahl, who was positioned at the near post and easily scored from three yards out.
"That first goal was all we needed," Falor said. "After that, we seemed to settle down and even though Loyola upped the pressure in the second half, we were able to keep our composure and shut them down."
The Vikings made it 2-0 shortly after halftime when Natalie Daniels gathered in a loose ball just inside midfield, made a short run and launched a shot from 30 yards out that arched over the head of Groesch and into the upper corner of the net on the right side.
The goal was a record-setting one for Daniels, allowing her to tie the Jennifer Wieand's CSU season records for goals (8) and points (19), which were set in 2007.
"Natalie made a great play on the goal," Falor said. "She has done that a couple of times this year where she uses her accuracy to beat a keeper from long range."
That was all CSU needed as Kelly Zinkiewich made a pair of saves to break her own school record with her fifth shutout of the season.
"Kelly has been fantastic all season long and tonight was a perfect example. She has excelled at organizing the defense in front of her and she knows when and when not to come off her line," Falor added.
"The team was really excited about her breaking the shutout record tonight because they know how hard she has worked and how focused she has been."
The Vikings resume their two-match road swing when CSU plays at Detroit on Sunday (Oct. 10) beginning at 12:00 noon at Titan Field.
