The Observer, November 17, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 11
Men's soccer advances to third round with victory over Denison
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Defeating the Denison Big Red 2-0 last Saturday at home, the Case men's soccer team advances to the third round of the NCAA Division III soccer tournament.
Though playing in his first collegiate playoff game, sophomore forward Kevin Bigart had only positive thoughts on his mind while stepping up for his penalty kick early in the first half.
"I was a little nervous, but I was just thinking I have to hit this," he said. "I usually try to read a goalie, but I figured with the slippery conditions, it would be good for more of a power shot and decided to place it to the left of the keeper."
Bigart cited confidence as a big factor as to why he was able to convert the kick.
"You have to have confidence and know that you are going to put it in before taking the kick," he said. "I felt as though I had to reward my teammates with a goal, especially the ones who worked hard to earn it."
Bigart knew that scoring on the penalty kick greatly improved his team's chances of winning the game.
"Scoring early is a big part of our success as a team. All the games we have scored in we have won, so I knew putting one in early would give us a lot of confidence."
After drawing the penalty kick early, sophomore midfielder Matt Paglia doubled the Spartans' lead over the Big Red later in the first half.
"The ball was crossed in from the left by Justin," Paglia said, describing the goal, "and it bounced off R.J. right at me. I just hit it with my knee over the defender's leg and then volleyed it, hitting it as hard as I could. I saw a space to the right of the keeper that I was aiming for."
Paglia said it was an incredible feeling to score his first playoff goal in front of the home crowd.
"It was just awesome and exhilarating once the ball went in," he said. "Having everyone race after you celebrating…it was just crazy. There were so many fans and they just erupted, which was great."
After an attacking in the first half, the Spartans found themselves playing to preserve the two-goal lead, according to freshman midfielder Brian Evans.
"We were pumped going into the second half," Evans said. "But we knew that we had to make sure they didn't score to save our lead. We ended up not having as many chances as in the first half, but we still pulled out the win. We didn't play our usual game of settling the ball and moving it around and finding seams, but we had to play a more direct style of soccer through the middle of the field."
Now in the third round of the tournament, the Spartans will face off against powerhouse Ohio Wesleyan University 11 a.m. tomorrow at home.
"Everyone is pumped for the game," Bigart said. "How could we not be? Ohio Wesleyan is probably the best team Case has ever played. They have only allowed five goals all year."
Despite facing such a talented team like the Battling Bishops, Bigart likes his team's chances tomorrow. "I feel as though if our defense plays strong, and if we play the way we can play, which is building the ball up the field and then playing on their half of the field, we should be good," he said.
Ultimately, the Spartans will need to play a balanced game in order to win.
"They have dangerous kids, but like playing against any good team, you can't concentrate on one or two of them because they have other players who can do damage as well," Bigart said. "For this game we need everyone playing offense and everyone playing defense."
