Opening Whistle
Cleveland State kicks off the month of September with a road game at Canisius, starting at 6 p.m.
 
Hello September
The Vikings are 2-2-2 overall and 2-2-2 on the road during their first game of the month in September under coach Ubiparipovic.
 
Last Game Out
The Vikings suffered its second straight 2-1 loss to open the season as the Green and White fell to Mercyhurst in the home opener on Friday. Cleveland State opened the scoring in the 50th minute behind Domenic Ruggiero's second goal of the season as the freshman headed in a free kick from Massimo Caruso.
 
Mercyhurst pulled even in the 75th minute with a header off a corner and scored the game-winner in the 87th minute on a volley from the top of the box. Stephen Yerian completed the night with a career-high nine saves.
 
About Canisius
The Golden Griffs have suffered back-to-back 1-0 shutouts to start the year. The last game came against a fellow Horizon League school, Robert Morris. Preston Harold has played every minute in goal, recording four saves on 15 shots.
 
Series History
Cleveland State is unbeaten in the previous eight games with a 6-0-2 mark. With games in Buffalo, the Green and White are 2-0-1. Last season, the two teams drew 2-2 on Krenzler Field.
 
Ubiparipovic Background
Two-time Horizon League Coach of the Year, Sinisa Ubiparipovic enters his eighth season as the head coach of the Vikings. In his time, the Green and White have made NCAA Tournament appearances and won two Horizon League Regular Season and Tournament Championships. On the field, his squads are 51-44-20 overall (.530 winning percentage), and 31-21-11 (.579 winning percentage) in league games.
 
Key Returners
Cleveland State brings back #HLMSOC Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-League honoree, Uzman Ramees. Ramees was the second straight player to receive this award after playing in all 19 games as a midfielder. Ramees led the team in assists (4) and was tied for the team lead in points (13). He also added four goals.
 
Tom Mertz received his second straight All-League honor, this time being recognized on the First Team. The sophomore played in all 19 games, scoring three goals, all of which came in league play.
 
Lennart Heck was recognized on the Second Team after playing in 18 games on the backline. Heck was the anchor of four shutouts, while scoring a goal and adding three assists.
 
Ognjen Bozovic gained Third Team All-League honors in his first season with the Green and White. Bozovic played in 18 games in the midfield, tallying three goals, one of which was the game-winner against Detroit Mercy.
 
Preseason Poll
Cleveland State was picked to repeat as Horizon League Champions after picking up 111 points. Green Bay was slated to come in second with 95 points and league newcomer, NIU is third with 92 points.
 
Up Next
The Green and White return home on Saturday, Sept. 5 to face FAU at 7 p.m.