After the start of the University of Detroit(w)’s soccer game in Cleveland was delayed 20 minutes Friday evening because of lightning, the Cleveland State offense struck fast and the Vikings managed to hang on for a 1-0 win over the Titans.

The match was the Titans Horizon League opener and the second league match for Cleveland State (2-9-0, 1-1-0 HL).

Just 2:40 after the match began CSU junior Sylvia Olsby took a pass from teammate Marley Greiner and deposited it into the lower left-hand corner of the net for her first goal of the season to give the Vikings an early lead. Cleveland State dominated the opening, taking five of its nine shots in the first 12 minutes.

We came out flat, said UDM head coach Mike Lupenec. We aren’t hungry enough.

But the Titans (2-8-1, 0-1-0 HL) refused to go down quietly. Detroit controlled the pace the rest of the way, outshooting the Vikings 11-4 over the last 78 minutes, including an 8-1 advantage in the second half, but were repeatedly turned away empty-handed.

We had chances, Lupenec said. But we didn’t finish them and make the most of our opportunities.

Junior Selena Stanski (Tecumseh, ON/St. Anne’s Secondary) was at the forefront of the UDM attack, recording career highs with eight shots and four on goal. Sophomore Alison Suschak (Brecksville, OH/Brecksville) and freshman Nina Carter (Clinton Twp., MI/Chippewa Valley) recorded Detroit’s other two shots on goal.

The loss was the sixth straight for the Titans and the fifth in which they’ve been shutout. It was also the first time Cleveland State has beaten Detroit, which now holds a 4-1-1 edge in the all-time series.

UDM will turnaround and continue league play on Sunday back in the friendly confines of Titan Field when Youngstown State comes into town. The Penguins (3-5-2, 0-1-0 HL) opened league play Friday evening as well, falling 1-0 against Loyola in Youngstown. Detroit leads YSU 11-0-0 in the all-time series. Kickoff is 3 p.m. and you can catch with Gametracker.