A new season has begun for Cleveland State lacrosse – The Cauldron
Cleveland State University lacrosse opened their 2022 season with a major setback against Ohio State University. The loss came with a score of 9-17. Vikings sophomore Gannon Matthews put up the first goal, unassisted, within the first quarter kicking off the game. Shortly after Matthews’s goal, senior Andrew Boniface also scored unassisted, doubling the advantage for the Vikings.
Ohio State scored their first goal with only five minutes left in the quarter, then tallying a second only following 12 seconds after the first. Despite the quick back-to-back scores by Ohio State the Vikings were able to put up a final goal in the first quarter. With one minute left junior Ian McKissick scored an unassisted goal.
Sophomore Amiri Austin runs through a Mercer defender. Photo courtesy of Vikings Athletics
The first half came to a close with a Viking lead of 3 to 2. In the second quarter, only one goal was tallied for the Vikings, freshman Michael Care, who was assisted by senior Jason Sullivan. Ohio State was able to close the half with five unanswered goals.
In the second half, goals were scored by Matthews, junior Adam Clark with two, senior Nick Polydoras and sophomore Gavin Held, to total the Vikings nine goals for the game. Sophomore Robbie Brazanskas took the lead defensively with three-caused turnovers. Despite the large scores by Ohio State senior goalie Cameron Logan made 10 saves and played the whole game minus the last six minutes, which were played by junior Gareth Haigh, who was able to make two saves.
The Vikings’ home opener inside the Krenzler Bubble was against Mercer University. Despite the fight put up by the team the Vikings once again fell to their opponents. The game started strong with the Vikings finding the back of the net and tallying the first two goals of the game, scores by Held and Boniface.
Unfortunately, Mercer responded quickly to the Vikings’ scores. Despite the strong start and leading in face-offs won as well as shots on goal, the Vikings fell to Mercer 9 to 11. Matthews led scores for the team finding the back of the net three times for the Vikings, becoming a key player for the team’s offense. Sullivan also contributed to the Vikings’ offensive play by putting out the four best game assists.
A Vikings athlete takes on two Canisius defenders. Photo courtesy of Lindy Feider
The Vikings have begun to put up a fight early on in the season. The team kicked off the games with scores and have kept up with their opponents early on in the games. They dropped their next game against a ranked Michigan team, 13-5 coming back and beating Canisius 12-10 a week later. Matthews scored five goals in their win proving he is a major offensive threat on this Vikings team.
Their current record stands at 1-3 however it’s just the beginning of the Vikings season so it will be interesting to see how the team comes back from these early losses.