PHOENIX, Ariz – Cleveland State dropped a 3-1 game to Grand Canyon on Monday evening despite the quick start.

The Vikings weathered the hour and 15-minute delay with the game's first opportunity in the second minute on a 35-yard free kick. Uros Jevtic served the ball to the back post, where a defender was whistled for a handball, setting up a penalty kick. Paolo Roditti then stepped up and converted for his first career goal.

Grand Canyon equalized in the 15th minute on a Max Kiefer goal from the top of the box off a cross from Jorge Lopez that Raul Vazquez touched on.

Ryan Poling had to come up big twice in the 38th minute, as the senior first punched out a free kick before quickly getting back on his feet to make a diving save to the upper right corner on an absolute laser from 40 yards out to keep the game tied.

Both teams saw out the final seven minutes to send the game into halftime, all level at one.

The Lopes grabbed its first lead in the 70th minute as Allan Rosales converted a sliding one-touch shot off a back pass from Junior Diouf. Two minutes later, GCU extended the lead as Diouf used a spin move along with foot speed from midfield to beat the entire Green and White defense off a through ball from Ben Assane Fall to win 3-1.

Cleveland State had two shots on the night, both of which were on target from Matteo Correia and Roditti. Poling finished the contest with six saves.

The Vikings will have a week off before heading to No. 21 Akron for a Labor Day contest at 7 p.m.