Box Score DEKALB, Ill. – Cleveland State (6-6-3, 4-3-2) fell to NIU (8-4-2, 5-1-2) 2-1 in a battle of the two top teams in the Horizon League on Sunday afternoon.

The Vikings scored the lone goal in the first half after Tom Mertz headed in a saved penalty kick by Domenic Ruggiero in the 27th minute.

The Huskies tied the game in the 54th off a free kick and scored the game-winner on a penalty kick in the 69th minute.

NIU held a 13-11 advantage in shots, but the shots on goal favored the Vikings, 7-5.

Mertz had a game-best five shots and Alex De Nittis had two shots on goal off the bench.

Aleksandar Kolar made three saves in goal.

The Vikings conclude the regular season with senior day against Robert Morris on Friday, October 30 at 7 p.m.