Cleveland United alumnus Alex Ivanov has had quite a ride at The Ohio State University, finishing as arguably the best goalkeeper in program history.  This is even more incredible when you consider the fact that he started as a walk-on at OSU.    The Strongsville, Ohio native is third on the Buckeyes’ all-time career saves list with 239 and fifth in career shutouts with 15.  He also was the recipient of the 2014 CLASS Award, a recognition given to the most outstanding student-athlete in Division I men’s soccer.  This is in addition to being a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete.  

 

On the pitch Ivanov is a prototypical goalkeeper, a player that is an intimidating force in goal.  

 

“I would hope that I come off as a fearless goalkeeper - someone who is never afraid to put his body on the line to stop the ball from going into that 8 'x 24' net,” Ivanov commented. “I love to watch Tim Howard play and I always try to emulate his style of both aggressiveness and assertive control.”

 

Playing at a legendary program gave him many big moments along the way.  One of those was saving two penalty kicks in one match to earn his first clean sheet, a 2-0 win over NIU.  But Ivanov was quick to point out that the biggest moment in his entire career came against a fellow Ohio program.

 

“Many heated matches with other Big Ten schools were huge, but nothing tops our NCAA first round win over Akron in 2014 after 15 rounds of penalty kicks.”  

 

Coming out on top over UA in the postseason was a key milestone for the program with Ivanov’s consistency in goal a big reason why they were able to dispatch the Zips.  But playing and beating Akron was just the beginning of what he faced in the Big Ten week in and week out.

 

“The Big Ten was actually rated, I believe, as the second or third best conference last fall in terms of soccer. This was especially true with the addition of Maryland to the conference last fall and the sheer number of teams that made the NCAAs. Obviously, Michigan is a big rival for us (we did beat them twice in one week my senior year), but we would always have heated matches with Penn State and Michigan State.”

 

Getting to Ohio State wasn’t easy, even for one of the best goalkeepers to ever come out of the region.  

 

“I was set on going to go to OSU for engineering school because it was always my dream school growing up. After a soccer camp in February of my senior year of high school I was offered a spot on the varsity soccer team and I couldn't have been more on cloud nine. Soccer made my college years just that much more memorable.”

 

Ivanov’s quality play and immense talent also allowed him to play in the NPSL as member of local side AFC Cleveland.  Playing in the summer months has given him an edge over players who decide to take that time off.  He has big plans for this summer and the Royals.

 

“My goals for this summer are to earn the number one goalkeeping role at AFC Cleveland and lead our team to an NPSL National Championship and Midwest Regional Championship.”

 

Playing in the NPSL has given the Strongville HS product some options.  He can continue working towards a career as a professional player (like many NPSL alumni do) or get a job in the engineering field per his degree.  He won’t leave the game behind, having already committed to coaching his high school team’s goalkeepers this fall.   

 

All of Ivanov’s success came as a result of hard work as a youth.  Ivanov credits Cleveland United coaches Vlado Hrelja and Marko and Joe Raduka as key influences on his career.  He said that they helped prepare him for playing at the collegiate level at Ohio State.  

 

“Cleveland United always prepared challenging indoor and outdoor schedules that let us compete against top opponents, which pushed us to get better. The training sessions were always very professional and organized to focus on our weaknesses as players and improve them.”

 

Playing as a youth is something he will never forget even with all the memories from Ohio State and the NPSL.  

 

“The countless tournaments and people that I have met - and still communicate with today - will always make me remember my youth soccer days.”

 

Ivanov is a gifted goalkeeper in a great generation of Northeast Ohio players and he knows he has a lot to live up to.   

 

“The soccer talent right here in NE Ohio is so deep and vast. There are so many passionate and dedicated players in this area and there is a strong awareness of the game. I have played with and against countless players from this area that have gone on to do great things for the game both collegiately and professionally.”

 

It is an absolute certainty that Ivanov will go on to do great things, in life and in the beautiful game.  He’s just that kind of person and player.