Sept. 4, 2005

Final Stats

Contact: Brian Wolff

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Cleveland State Vikings played to a 0-0 first half on Sunday at UB Stadium, but the teams' inexperience showed as Buffalo scored five second half goals to win 5-0 and clinch the Buffalo Fall Classic championship.

The Vikings were tied at halftime with the strong play of freshman goalkeeper Anthony DeMarco who made three of his seven saves in the first half.

"The most frustrating part was that for 70 percent of the game we did what we set out to do," head coach Pete Curtis said. "During that 70 percent we only limited them to one good opportunity."

The Vikings got strong play from two of their defensemen sophomore Craig Coleman and freshman Kim Kroken. After the game Coleman was named to the all-tournament team.

"Craig and Kim performed at the level they are capable of playing at," Curtis said, "but we are going to struggle if we don't get that level from all 11 players on the field."

Buffalo outshot Cleveland State 21-3, including 13-0 in the second half.

"The most important thing for this team will be to learn from their mistakes," Curtis said. "Unfortunately we didn't do that today and at least three goals that we let up were from the same mistake."

The Vikings will review this game and use it as a learning experience before they return to action on Friday.

"We have to use this game as lesson," Curtis said. "The biggest concern is if we make these mistakes against the top teams in our league then the goal differential will be higher than it was today."

The Vikings will remain on the road to face the Akron Zips on Friday, Sept. 9 at 5:00 p.m. This is part of a doubleheader where the Cleveland State women's team will face Akron at 7:00 p.m.