Cleveland State (1-7-1, 1-0-1 Horizon League) won their first game of the Horizon League season, 2-0 against Oakland (1-6-1) in Rochester, Michigan on Saturday. Ryleigh Alcala anchored the Vikings with both goals, earning the Under Armour #HLWSOC Offensive Player of the Week for her effort.

Opening the game, Cortlyn Hefty nearly made the score 1-0 with a shot on goal in the fifth minute that went just over the crossbar. Sidney Nicolas then had a chance to score with a shot from the top of the box, but was saved by the Oakland goalkeeper.

In the 13^th minute, Alcala scored the first goal of the Horizon League season for Cleveland State, making the score 1-0. In the 44^th minute, Sophie Abbott nearly doubled the margin off a cross from Sidney Nicholas.

At the end of the first half, the Vikings held an 8-3 shot advantage over the Golden Grizzlies with three shots on goal. Defensively, Cleveland State held Oakland to only one shot on goal.

In the second half, the Green & White held most of the possession during the first 10 minutes, with three shots on goal from three different players. In the 78^th minute, Hayleigh Lewis made a diving save on a shot from inside the box to keep Oakland off the scoreboard. Alcala then banged in a goal in the 84^th minute to double the margin to 2-0. 

Cleveland State dominated the match with 19 shots and 10 shots on goal from seven different players. Alcala led the way with five shots and two goals. Lewis had three saves for the game.

Cleveland State followed up that game with a 1-1 draw at Youngstown State on Thursday, with Nicholas scoring her first goal in the Green and White off a pair of assists from Alcala and Lewis. The assist for Lewis was the first of her career.

Cleveland State is now tied for four place in the Horizon League standings at 1-1 in conference play.

Up Next

The Vikings next face Robert Morris away on Sunday, Sept. 27, with a 1:00 p.m. kick-off.