Green Bay men’s soccer beat Cleveland State on late goal

Green Bay rebounded from last week’s loss at Purdue Fort Wayne to improve to 7-3-0 overall and 2-1-0 in Horizon play. The Vikings are still searching for their first conference win after falling to 2-4-3 overall and 0-2-1 in HL action.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Chris Album struck early with a goal in the 4th minute. Nishikawa floated a pass inside the box, which deflected off a Viking right to Album, who blasted a shot to the back of the net. The Phoenix survived a surge of shots from CSU following Album’s team-leading fifth goal of the year, but goalkeeper Alvaro Rodriguez made four saves to maintain the 1-0 advantage. Andrew Paolucci had several chances to extend the lead not long before halftime but was offsides once, forced a save on the second try, and missed wide right on his third opportunity.

The Green and White ripped off a couple of shots early in the second frame before Myles Sophanavong scored his first goal of 2024 on a corner kick in the 51st minute. CSU responded quickly with a score a few minutes later, and it began to get chippy between both squads. Album was handed a red card in the 66th minute, his second of the season. Moments later, the Vikings tied the game on a goal from Marko Rimac. Each team got a shot off following Rimac’s score and in the 84th minute, Green Bay had a great look off a throw-in. Nishikawa drilled a rocket of a shot off his right foot that went past a diving Ryan Poling in goal for CSU, and the Phoenix took a late 3-2 lead. Josip Rimac tried to tie the game in the final moments but came up short, and the Phoenix got back in the win column with a 3-2 triumph over Cleveland State.

COMING UP
Green Bay will be back in action next Saturday for a showdown against Wright State, which is currently in fourth place, just two points behind the Phoenix.