Aug. 31, 2008

Final Stats

Contact: Brian McCann

NIAGARA, N.Y. -- Two first half goals, including one just three minutes into the contest, proved to be too much to overcome as Cleveland State dropped a 2-1 decision to Niagara on Sunday afternoon at Niagara Field.

The loss dropped CSU to 0-3 on the young season while Niagara improved to 1-1.

"We didn't come out ready to play this afternoon," CSU head coach Derrek Falor said. "We let up too many easy scoring opportunities early in the contest and Niagara was able to take advantage of them.

"That is so unlike this team because coming into this match we hadn't allowed a goal in the first half through the entire preseason and the first two matches but we struggled in the second half. Today, we played very well in the second but dug a hole for ourselves in the first half.

"I did see some good things. Offensively, we had some very good scoring chances, but just couldn't finish them."

Niagara opened the scoring at the 3:03 mark when Laura Kimoto gathered in a loose ball in the box and nudged it past CSU netminder Kelly Zinkiewich for the goal.

Kimoto assisted on the second goal as well when she sent a back pass to Courtney Davies that Davies blasted into the net in the 28th minute.

The Vikings got on the scoreboard at the 75:46 mark when Sylvia Olsby fed a perfect ball ahead to freshman Natalie Daniels for a breakaway that Daniels was able to slip past Sarah Stephens for the goal.

Although CSU pressured in the final 14 minutes, the Vikings were unable to score the equalizer.

The Vikings return home to host Akron on Wednesday (Sept. 3) beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Krenzler Field.