COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cleveland State (0-0-1) drew with Ohio State (0-0-1) 1-1 in the 2024 season opener on Thursday evening.

The Vikings weathered nine shots in the opening 40 minutes before Tom Mertz opened the scoring with his first collegiate goal off a pass from Josip Rimac to lead 1-0.

Ohio State drew even in the 66th minute after David Ajabe netted an unassisted goal on a miscue by the goalkeeper. Neither team would find the back of the net down the stretch, as the season opener ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Buckeyes held a 26-3 advantage in shots with Stephen Yerian making four saves in the goal. Caleb Trowbridge, Bojan Kolevski, and Mertz accounted for the Green and White shots.

The Vikings play host to St. Bonaventure in the home opener on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m.