Cleveland, Ohio – Despite an equalizing goal in the second half, the Robert Morris University men's soccer team fell to Cleveland State in its season opener, 3-1, this evening from Krenzler Field.
Neither Robert Morris (0-1-0, 0-0-0 NEC) nor Cleveland State (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Horizon League) had great chances in the first half, but that gave way to a frantic final 30 minutes where all four of the game's goals were scored.
The Vikings' Gabe Pewu opened the scoring in the 63rd minute after settling a pass in from Lawrence Kapreh.
Senior midfielder Bayley Winkel grabbed the tying goal in the 65th minute. Fellow fourth-year Keane McIvor played a quality ball over the top of the defense, leaving Winkel one-on-one with the keeper. He took his time, easily slotting it past the CSU netminder at the far post to make it 1-1.
12 minutes later, the hosts regained the lead thanks to a Noah Pio strike from 25 yards out. The Vikings added an insurance goal in the 84th minute courtesy of Kapreh.
Senior midfielder Jake Cooper generated a team-best three shots on the evening. Fourth-year goalkeeper Winter Fondi made nine saves in the defeat.
Robert Morris returns to Moon Township for its home opener on Sunday, Aug. 27 when it hosts St. Bonaventure at 3:00 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Colonials women's soccer team.
