Match Report | Cleveland SC vs Niagara 1812
- Cleveland SC
- Jun 29
- 5 min read
Cleveland Controls the Match: SC Defeats Niagara 1812, 3-1, in Final Home Game
Cleveland SC continues its push toward the playoffs with a 3-1 victory over Niagara 1812 FC on Saturday afternoon at George Finnie Stadium. The win, which improves Cleveland's record to 5-2-2, moved the club into fourth place in the Great Lakes Conference standings, securing a crucial three points with just one game left in the regular season.
Unlike the recent come-from-behind thrillers that have become the team’s hallmark, Saturday’s win was more clinical. Cleveland SC took control early and never looked back, creating sustained pressure, dominating possession, and dictating the pace of play from start to finish. Head Coach Joe Jovanovski's side looked determined to avoid any late-game drama and put the result away early.
First Half: Relentless Pressure
From the opening whistle, Cleveland SC looked the sharper, more organized side. In just the third minute, Cian Tunney broke free behind the Niagara defense on a well-placed long ball, but Niagara goalkeeper Carson Provenzano made a brilliant save to deny the early opportunity. That would be the first of many stellar stops for the Niagara keeper, who kept the match closer than the run of play suggested.
In the 15th minute, Noah Sandahl nearly opened the scoring with a clever chip attempt over the onrushing keeper, but the ball floated just over the bar. Ten minutes later, it was Tamas Nagy’s turn to test the goal, when he received a sharp pass from midfielder Marko Odorcic on the left wing and smashed a low shot that ricocheted off the right post.
Niagara 1812 managed few meaningful spells of possession, while Cleveland SC tallied 11 shots on target throughout the match. Nicolas Vagujhelyi nearly got on the board in the 31st minute with a quick strike off a Tunney feed, but Provenzano was again up to the task.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute. Vagujhelyi made a determined run down the right flank and whipped in a low cross that found an unmarked Nagy at the top of the box. With a calm right-footed finish, Nagy buried the chance, giving Cleveland the 1-0 lead they had been hunting for all half.
Just before the halftime whistle, Niagara had its best look of the opening frame with a dangerous free kick just outside the penalty area. But Cleveland’s wall held firm, and the threat was neutralized as the hosts went into the locker room ahead.
Second Half: Clinical Finishing, Steady Defense
Cleveland SC doubled the lead in the 55th minute following sustained pressure. A shot by Uleto Fuentes was blocked by the defense but not cleared cleanly, and captain Kyle Healy pounced on the loose ball. He struck a bouncing shot high into the net past the outstretched hands of Provenzano. The goal was Healy’s first of the season and a well-earned reward for the captain's leadership and consistency.
Though Cleveland controlled the pace, Niagara managed to cut the deficit in the 60th minute. Zoltan Nagy made a terrific save on a shot from forward Dominic Massaro, but the rebound took an unfortunate deflection off Fuentes and into the back of the net for an own goal. It was a fluky moment, but one that gave Niagara a brief glimmer of hope.
However, that hope didn’t last long. Cleveland responded quickly with another surge. In the 62nd minute, Malvin Gblah played a well-timed pass to Nagy, who unleashed a rocket at goal that Provenzano again denied. A minute later, Fuentes nearly made up for the earlier own goal with a dangerous shot of his own, but the keeper once again came up with the save.
The pressure finally paid off again in the 82nd minute. Nagy received a long ball from Jordan Lewis, beat his defender on the dribble, and with a quick glance, chipped the keeper for his second goal of the match, sealing the win at 3-1. The goal was Nagy's third in the last two games, and another example of his rising form in the season's final stretch.
Zoltan Nagy finished with three excellent saves, including a huge stop in the 90th minute when substitute Jordan Prescod found space in the box and fired what looked to be a sure goal. Nagy made himself big and preserved the two-goal advantage.
Late substitute Gavin Heighberger nearly added to the lead in stoppage time, narrowly missing what would have been his first goal of the season. Still, Cleveland fans rose to their feet, applauding the performance and the team’s total dominance.
Post Match Notes | Cleveland SC vs Niagara 1812
Cleveland SC is peaking at just the right time. The squad has now secured 10 points from its last four matches, including a draw against first-place Flower City Union—the first time that club dropped points all season.
The chemistry in the attacking third continues to flourish. Over the past four games, Nagy, Tunney, and Vagujhelyi have combined for nine goals, and the team has scored three goals in each of those four matches.
Defensively, the group has been solid. Uleto Fuentes, Jordan Lewis, and Kris McDonald have held firm, while keepers Zoltan Nagy and Ryan Poling have stepped up when needed. Saturday marked the first time in 5 matches that Cleveland went the full 90 minutes without needing a late equalizer or winner, a sign of growing maturity and consistency.
With the win, Cleveland SC now sits in 4th place in the Great Lakes Conference after Erie Commodores FC fell to the Buffalo Stallions. The playoff race is tight, with five teams in contention for four spots.
Niagara 1812, meanwhile, finishes their season at 1-1-8. Despite the loss, the visitors battled hard and showed glimpses of promise that they can build on for next season.
Missed the match? No worries, you can watch a replay of the entire game [HERE]. Watch the condensed highlights from the 3-1 win [HERE]!
Looking Ahead
Everything comes down to the regular season finale next Saturday, July 5, against Erie Commodores FC. In a rematch of Match Day 4, when Cleveland won 3-1 at home, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Before that match, Cleveland will keep an eye on Wednesday's pivotal clash between Ambassadors FC Ohio (3rd place) and Erie (now 5th place). No matter the outcome, Cleveland knows that a win on the road in Erie would secure a postseason berth.
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