CLEVELAND, Ohio – Lawrence Karpeh scored late in the first half and the goal stood up in helping Cleveland State hand the Milwaukee men's soccer team a 1-0 decision Saturday evening at Krenzler Field.
 
"It's a disappointing outcome, but I do have to say I am very pleased with the way we played tonight," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "I have no regrets, besides taking one play away from them."
 
The Panthers (4-5, 1-2 Horizon League) controlled the majority of the matchup against the Vikings (3-2-1, 2-1 Horizon League), but could not find the back of the net despite holding a 13-to-9 advantage in shots and 57 percent possession in the contest.
 
"I thought we created some really good chances, but the goalkeeper for Cleveland State had an outstanding performance," Kelderman said. "We will keep plugging away. There is a lot of conference play remaining and we look forward to our next game."
 
One of those opportunities came late, but a brilliant stop by CSU goalkeeper Omeed Naeemy on a volley off the foot of Alex Sykes in the 88^th minute preserved the win.
 
Naeemy ended the night with seven saves, making several impressive stops to claim the shutout.
 
It was Sykes again in the 53^rd minute, nearly finishing a pass from Ben Krolczyk that switched the field. Naeemy was up to the task again, sending the attempt just wide of the far post.
 
The Panthers also had some quality chances in the first half. Evan Conway nearly had a goal in the 20^th minute, seeing his left-footed shot pushed wide on a dive. Kasper Davidsson also gave it a go from distance in the 33^rd minute, again with Naeemy getting just enough of it to clear the far post.
 
Freddy Lorenzen made three saves in defeat, including a highlight-reel stop of a header in the seventh minute to keep it scoreless as the time.
 
Up next, it's back home for a pair of games to open October, starting with a contest against Wisconsin Oct. 2. Game time is set for 8:30 p.m., but could change slightly due to it being the second game of a women's/men's doubleheader at Engelmann that evening.