Rochester, Mich. – Cleveland State University suffered their first Horizon League loss of the year on Saturday afternoon at Oakland, 4-3. The Vikings led 3-0 in the 63rd minute before the Golden Grizzles scored four unanswered goals to win the game.

Cleveland State was off to their best start in HL play, 5-0-0, and will look to bounce back on Wednesday at Robert Morris.

THE GAME
The Vikings got on the board in the 39th minute with a Bojan Kolevski penalty kick after Josh Davis was pulled down in the box on an attempted volley. Cleveland State took the 1-0 lead into the locker-room, outshooting the home team, 12-5.

Back-to-back Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week, Jannis Schmidt doubled the margin in the 53rd minute, finishing off a give-and-go by Tommy Paltani and Kolevski. Ten minutes later, Kolevski bagged his second goal after Oakland was unable to clear the ball on an initial save on a shot by Schmidt.

The Golden Grizzlies broke up the shutout in the 68th minute as Dawsun Schrum scored on a cross by Sebastian Nuzzo and Robbie Cleary. Two minutes later, Oakland drew to within one as Charlie Braithwaite finished off a through ball from Kai Garvey and Noah Jensen

Oakland evened the game in the 73rd minute on a Noah Jensen free-kick that redirected off the Vikings wall and into the back of the net from 28-yard out.

The Golden Grizzles snagged the game-winning goal in the 88th minute as Jensen scored after the Green and White were unable to clear a 40-yard free-kick that was bouncing around the box.

Cleveland State outshot their opponents, 19-15, but Oakland held an 8-5 shots on goal edge. Schmidt and Kolevski finished with four shots apiece. Omeed Naeemy made four saves in goal.

Kolevski led the Vikings offense with two goals an assist.

UP NEXT
Cleveland State concludes their three-game road trip on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Robert Morris with a 2 p.m. kickoff.

#GoVikings