Horizon League Men’s Soccer Championship:
(2) Cleveland State 2, (6) Loyola 0
DETROIT – Applying pressure throughout the afternoon, Cleveland State cashed in two second half goals to down Loyola, 2-0, and win the Horizon League Men’s Soccer Championship Sunday afternoon at Titans Field.
Cleveland State (11-5-3) enjoyed the better run throughout the afternoon, outshooting Loyola (5-12-2), 18-4 and putting eight shots on goal.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, the Vikings consistently applied pressure on the Loyola defense, eventually breaking them down for the game’s first goal. Aaron Adkins took a pass and raced down the right side before winning a challenge along the goal line.
Streaking towards the goal mouth, Adkins laid off a pass to Cazz Warren, who hit the back of the empty net to give Cleveland State a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute.
With the sixth-seeded Ramblers pressing up to try and find the equalizer, Cleveland State gave itself several good looks, but Loyola keeper made two huge saves on point-blank chances to keep it a one-goal match into the late stages.
Cleveland State kept attacking though, capitalizing on a defensive breakdown to feed Adkins at the top of the 18-yard box. Adkins went in alone on McKeown, finishing off the crossbar to seal the result in the 83rd minute.
Adkins was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates Cam Eisses, Admir Suljevic, Warren and Brad Stuver. Stuver’s excellence in net led to him earning Tournament MVP accolades.
Kyle Spoo, Nick Sanchez and Ryan Howe represented Loyola on the team.
The Horizon League Championship was the first for Cleveland State, which had been runner-up on two other occasions in the men’s soccer tournament.
The Vikings will find out their NCAA Tournament destination at 5:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 12, on NCAA.com.
2012 Horizon League Men’s Soccer All-Tournament Team:
Adam Bedell, Detroit
Pat Lepera, Detroit
Jaymie Bullard, Valparaiso
Jon Smith, Valparaiso
Kyle Spoo, Loyola
Nick Sanchez, Loyola
Ryan Howe, Loyola
Cazz Warren, Cleveland State
Aaron Adkins, Cleveland State
Cam Eisses, Cleveland State
Admir Suljevic, Cleveland State
Brad Stuver, Cleveland State (MVP)
