The Cleveland State women’s soccer team dropped a pair of matches to MAC foes, Akron and Ohio last week. CSU fell to the Zips 1-0 on Sept. 9, followed by a frustrating outing against Ohio, 3-1 on Sept. 12. 

The Vikings sit with a record of 1-5-1.

In the battle against the Bobcats (4-3), Ohio notched a first half goal courtesy of Isabella Ginocchi in the 38th minute. Abby Townsend added to the visitors’ lead as she found the back of the net five minutes into the second half. 

Cleveland State’s Jamaya Ward stopped the bleeding as she sent a sizzling shot into the back of the net off an assist from Maddie Young in the 59th minute, trimming the Bobcats’ lead to 2-1. 

The momentum was short lived as Bobcat Haley Miller stretched the lead with a goal in the 71st minute. 

The Vikings defense was carved up for 25 shots, including 11 shots-on-goal. Cleveland State managed just 10 shots total, with four of them coming on goal. Ohio tallied six corner kicks, compared to just three for the Vikings. CSU goalkeepers Annie Jackson and Miranda Thomas combined for eight saves in the loss.

Cleveland State came much closer to tasting their first victory days earlier as they allowed a lone goal by Katie Stafford in the 30th minute in their road game against Akron. It was the Zips first victory of the season.  

The Vikings kept pace with the Zips throughout the contest, recording six shots in the first half, and tallying a two-shot advantage in the second half. Akron was plagued with 15 fouls in the contest, but were able to overcome the woes as the defense held firm in the final minutes to wind out the clock.

Cleveland State’s Kyla Valaitis notched five saves in the loss.