Opening Whistle
Cleveland State takes its three-game unbeaten streak to Milwaukee on Saturday afternoon for a 2 p.m. Horizon League kickoff.
 
Keeping the Momentum in White
The Vikings are putting on the white jerseys again on Saturday, sporting a 2-0-2 mark in them and are 1-0-0 with them on the road.
 
Tough to Come Back
Cleveland State is 3-1-0 overall when scoring first and a perfect 2-0-0 on the road in those situations. The Green and White are also 2-0-1 overall and 2-0-0 on the road when allowing just a single goal. When leading at the half, CSU is a perfect 3-0-0 on the year.
 
Last Game Out
The Green and White jumped out of league play on Tuesday for its final non-league road game at St. Bonaventure, winning 2-1.
 
Cleveland State grabbed the 1-0 lead in the 19th minute after Bora Eldem & Tom Mertz teamed up to find Domenic Ruggiero for a second straight game.
 
Three minutes later, Djordje Petrovic volleyed in a perfect cross from Uzman Ramees to lead 2-0. The Bonnies ruined the shutout in the 65th minute with a penalty kick, following a missed tackle in the box. Stephen Yerian got the start in goal, picking up his first win of the year, making two saves.
 
About the Panthers
Milwaukee has played even soccer both on the road and at home, sporting a 4-4-2 overall record and a 2-1-0 mark in league contests. The Panthers are coming off a 1-0 loss at Marquette on Tuesday, snapping a three-game winning streak.
 
Jack Wagner and Praise Ogwu have each scored two goals, while Dominic Zuniga has a team-best five assists. The Panthers have used multiple goalkeepers, with Carson Pridie having played the most recent games, accumulating 31 saves to go along with three wins and two shutouts.
 
Series History
This will be the 57th meeting between these two teams, with Milwaukee holding a 28-21-7 advantage. In the last ten games, the Vikings are 5-2-3 overall. The last two meetings have been in Milwaukee, with Cleveland State falling 1-0 in 2024 and last year's game ending in a scoreless draw.

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 Vikings return to Krenzler Field in one week to face IU Indy on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.