CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Vikings (6-5-3) wrapped up non-league play with a hard fought 3-2 loss against No. 9 Akron (8-1-4) on Tuesday evening.
Cleveland State couldn't have dreamt of a better start than a first-minute goal on a free kick by
Massimo Caruso. However, the Zips equalized in the 12th minute on a penalty kick.
Akron went in front for the first time in the 33rd minute off a diagonal ball and maintained the 2-1 advantage at halftime.
Tom Mertz tied the game in the 66th minute when his shot from 40-yards out went through the goalkeepers' fingers and into the back of the net. Akron managed to grab the game-winner in the 87th minute off a pair of passes inside the box.
Akron held a 13-6 edge in shots with each team having five shots on goal.
Domenic Ruggiero paced the Green and White with two shots.
Stephen Yerian made two saves in goal.
The Vikings will travel to league newcomer, NIU, on Sunday, October 25 for a 3 p.m. kickoff.
