Men's Soccer Falls to Cleveland State, 4-2

Friday, September 2

West Point, NY

6:00 PM

Army West Point

0-2-1, 0-0-0

Cleveland State University

3-0-0, 0-0-0

Cleveland State

Army West Point

Men's Soccer Falls to Cleveland State, 4-2

September 02, 2022 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Game 3
SCORE	Cleveland State Vikings 4, Army West Point Black Knights 2
SCORERS	CSU- Pablo Kawecki (15', 35'), Kyle Folds (23'), Jannis Schmidt (66') Army- Gage Guerra (11'), Nick Atkinson (30')
RECORDS	Cleveland State (3-0), Army West Point (0-2-1)
LOCATION	Malek Stadium- West Point, N.Y.

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army West Point men's soccer fell in its home opener to Cleveland State by a score of 4-2 on Friday night at Malek Stadium. The Black Knights had first half goals from Gage Guerra and Nick Atkinson which led to a 2-2 deadlock before the Vikings were able to score two unanswered goals to claim the victory.

It marked the first time in 314 days that the Black Knights played at Malek Stadium, while also being the first game against a current Horizon League opponent in program history. Army got off to a lively start in the 11th minute, with Brandon Bryant making a run into the box only to be taken down by a Vikings defender for a penalty kick opportunity. Gage Guerra stepped up and smashed home the spot kick into the bottom left corner, with the keeper guessing the correct way but the placement from Guerra making it unsavable. The goal was the first Army goal from the spot since 2020 and the first time the Black Knights have gotten on the board before halftime this season.

Cleveland State put together an instant response to the goal, playing in a cross from the left flank that found the head of Pablo Hawecki in front of net to tie the score at one in the 15th minute. The Vikings would find themselves with a free kick in a dangerous crossing position in the 22nd minute, with the ball played in eventually finding the head of Kyle Folds who gave the visiting side its first lead of the contest.

Army would return the favor off a set piece just seven minutes later, with Cooper Warren playing an inch-perfect pass to the head of Nick Atkinson off a free kick. It marked the first career goal for Atkinson as Army had gone through a full range of emotions through the first half-hour. The 2-2 score would not last long, with the Vikings putting together a fine passage of play to set up Hawecki in front of net to tab his first-half brace. The teams went into the half with the score 3-2.

The goals looked to had dried up for the second half, with neither team putting together a threat through the first twenty minutes. The Vikings were able to maurade forward in the 66th minute, with Jannis Schmidt forcing a fine finger-tip save from Tomas Hut, only for the ball to carom off the post right back into the path of Schmitt, who once again seemingly had the shot miraculously saved by Hut off of the other post. Alas, the referee awarded the goal on the second attempt, with the ball crossing the line before Hut was able to palm it away again. The Black Knights were able to have a few cracks at goal across the final twenty minutes, but were unable to test the goalkeeper and find a way back into the game.

Cadets Capsules

Nick Atkinson scored his first collegiate goal with his first half equalizer.
Goalkeeper Tomas Hut notched a career-high five saves in net.
Jack Meyer made his first collegiate start while Niko Kapustin made his Black Knights debut as a substitute.

Coach's Corner
"Credit to Cleveland State, they are a talented and well coached team. I was happy with how we began the game and went up a goal early, and I was proud of the team's fight in the second half. We talk about the importance of set pieces and box defending and we fell short in that tonight. I have belief in this group and am excited for what we are capable of. We will recover and are excited to compete again on Wednesday." - head coach Brian Plotkin.

Up Next
The Black Knights will return to take on Florida Atlantic on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Malek Stadium.

For complete coverage of Army West Point men's soccer, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_MSoccer and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.