Sept. 24, 2004

Final Stats

Contact: David Barry

MENTOR - The Cleveland State men's soccer team snapped a two-match losing streak with a solid performance and a 2-1 victory over Xavier Friday afternoon at Lost Nation Sports Park in Mentor. Seth Matisak and Spencer Lappin each scored the Vikings.

Matisak netted Cleveland State's (3-3) first goal, a one-touch rebound that found the back of the net in the 22nd minute of the first half. The play started with a rocket shot from the right side of the box from Lappin, who was credited with his first assist of the season. Lappin scored a brilliant goal in the second half which proved to be the game-winner, collecting a loose ball just outside the eighteen, dribbling left, and pocketing the ball through the side netting on the right side of the goal. The senior forward has six goals in as many games this season.

"We were a little disappointed to not come away with a shutout," Lappin said after the game. "But the guys on this team are playing great this year, and they have given me plenty of opportunities. We really should be 5-1 instead of 3-3, and it's time we start showing people how good we are."

The Vikings came out sluggishly in the past two matches, but responded this afternoon with more of a complete game. Xavier's lone goal came in the 89th minute off a bleeder from Jon Enders that came after a free kick taken by Nick Frasher. The ball was one-touched just beyond the reach of a diving Chris Black and into the right side-netting.

"We put in much more of a complete performance today," coach Pete Curtis said after the game. "The goal at the end of the match put a damper on how we should have felt after the match - which was a pretty well-played game on our part. I am excited about the number of opportunities we are creating, but somewhat disappointed in the number of chances we are converting."

Cleveland State dominated the aerial game against the Musketeers, winning the majority of airballs both in its defensive third and in the midfield. Six-foot four David Prentice turned in a tremendous performance in the air as a central midfielder, and the Viking defense was equally as strong winning 50-50 balls in the air.

"We were somewhat disappointed to have a goal scored on us through the air on Tuesday," coach Curtis said. "We worked hard addressing it in training this week, and did a much better job attacking the ball this afternoon. Our central midfield and defense were outstanding today. We hope to build on these individual performances and to be more efficient. If we do so we're going to win a lot more."

The Vikings travel to Illinois-Chicago for the first conference match of the season on Sunday, Sept. 26. The match is set to begin at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.