The Cleveland State men’s soccer team dropped an exciting double overtime match to the Northern Kentucky Norse, 2-1 on Sunday.

CSU's Julian Pelligrini, a true freshman, scored his first career goal in the 80th minute to tie the game and send it into extra time. Jannis Schmidt and Sahaab Kular both tailied assists for the Vikings. 

While the Vikings controlled possession for the majority of the game and outshot the Norse 24-11, Cleveland State just could not find the back of the net. Cleveland State also dominated corner kicks 13-2 but were unable to convert.

Northern Kentucky opened the scoring for the game when Tobias Karlsen deflected in a 7th minute cross from Sam Robinson. At the other end, Norse goalkeeper Daniel Bermingham let nothing by even as the Vikings had 10 shots at goal to Northern Kentucky's four in the first 45 minutes. 

The matchup between the Vikings and Norse got heated early into the afternoon with four yellow cards being given out in the first 27 minutes. The referees eventually handed out seven yellow cards, with Northern Kentucky earning a red card as a team.

In the 79th minute and his team still behind, Cleveland State Head Coach Sinisa Ubiparipovic turned to his regular substitute, Pelligrini, to bring some much needed energy to the Vikings. Pelligrini did just that, rocketing a shot into the net after just 58 seconds on the pitch to bring the Vikings level.

Cleveland State keeper Omeed Naeemy made a heroic save for the Vikings as the clock wound down to send the match to extra time.

Northern Kentucky’s Brodie Sallows, scored the golden goal in the 108th minute to end a very competitive match. 

Ubiparipovic praised his team's play and the chances they created, but said he was disappointed they could not finish off those opportunities. 

“We played well throughout the match and controlled the tempo and possessions,” Ubiparipovic said. “But I feel overall the end result is not a true reflection of our performance."

Three of Cleveland State's next four games are on the road, starting out at Milwaukee on Saturday at 2 p.m.