CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State Vikings women's soccer team found the tying goal early in the second half but were downed on a 69th minute marker by the visitors in a 2-1 defeat at the Krenzler Bubble on Wednesday afternoon.

Maddie Young converted a penalty kick in the 54th minute for her league-leading fourth tally of the season, but a pair of set piece goals by the Panthers ultimately derailed the Vikings.

THE GAME
Elena Gutlove recorded the first shot of the game within the opening 10 minutes, taking a ball over the top from Rylee Bussen on the left side before being stifled by Panthers keeper Elaina LaMacchia.

Making her first start of the season and second as a Viking, Miranda Thomas logged a pair of saves over the next five minutes to keep the Panthers off the board.

Milwaukee struck first when Jelena Sever's free kick from the top of the 18 deflected in off the left post in the 17th minute, giving the Panthers a 1-0 advantage on their third shot of the match.

Cleveland State responded well, applying pressure over the next five minutes with a pair of corners and two shots by Young, including one that was saved by LaMacchia.

Grace Krosky's deep left-footed attempt on goal in the 45th minute proved to be the only shot for either side over the final 15 minutes of the first half.

Cleveland State was awarded its penalty kick in the 54th minute when a Viking was hauled down away from the ball on a free kick that was played into the box from about 30 yards out. The Ohio University transfer calmly fired a shot into the left side of the net to knot the game at 1-1.

Milwaukee scored the go-ahead tally in the 69th minute when Gaby Schwartz's long free kick attempt from inside the half circle at midfield was deflected in by Sever, making it 2-1 Panthers. Ja'Maya Ward recorded Cleveland State's final shot with less than 10 minutes to play as the Panthers held on for their fourth win in five matches to open the season.

Young logged a team-high three shots while McKenna Donahue's fired a shot that was saved late in the second half, her third of the campaign.

Thomas stopped four of six Milwaukee shots in her second appearance, including three first-half saves. Overall, five of the Vikings' seven shots were on goal.

UP NEXT
The Vikings are back on the road next Wednesday with a 1:00 p.m. match against Northern Kentucky.

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