The Observer, September 29, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 5
Men defeat Wooster, extend undefeated streak
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The men's soccer team (8-0-1) was able to continue its stellar season to date with a thrilling overtime win Tuesday night at home against nationally ranked College of Wooster (7-1). With the win, the team reached last year's win total before reaching the midpoint of this season. One more victory will tie the team record of nine win, set in 1981.
The game-winning goal was scored by sophomore forward R.J. French (103:18) off of a double assist by sophomore Justin Steggerda and junior Neal Duryea.
"This is my fourth year here at Case," said senior defensemen Greg Gasbarro, "and tonight's victory was without question the biggest one that we've had since I've been here."
It was a huge win for the Spartans, whose only blemish to date was a 0-0 tie at the hands of Oberlin College.
For those watching the game as well as those participating, it was clearly only a matter of time before Case capitalized on one of its many opportunities. The Spartans controlled the tempo throughout the entire game, continually winning loose balls and keeping the Wooster players on their collective heels.
"We went into the second half confident that it was only a matter of time before we put all the pieces in place and connected on one of our runs," Gasbarro said. "I think that this victory really vaults us up and proves that we are not going to be an easy team to overlook."
They certainly haven't been completely overlooked at this point. Case's defense was named Co-UAA Defensive Player of the Week this week for their stellar performance. The award recognizes Greg Gasbarro, Noah Marciniak, Zeyad Schwen, Scott Christensen, and Neal Duryea for their efforts. The team currently ranks third in all of Division III with eight shutouts. Their dominant play has limited opponents to only 65 shots on goal all season.
With the defense playing as well as it has, pressure has been lifted from the offense to score goals. Nonetheless, many players on the offensive side continue to step up in key situations, such as French's game-winner Tuesday night. That goal was French's team-leading seventh of the season, but Kevin Bigart and Matt Paglia have also scored multiple goals this season with six and four, respectively.
The Spartans will look to continue their hot streak this weekend as they travel to Waltham, Mass. to take on the Judges of Brandeis. Currently, Brandeis sits at 2-2-3 in what is a very competitive New England soccer region.
"Going on the road for any game is always tough," Gasbarro said. "But going on the road in the UAA is a whole other story. We will have our work cut out for us this weekend, and we don't want to experience any letdown after such an emotional victory."
The Spartans will have to further readjust to playing on a grass field, which can present some significantly different playing conditions depending on the weather.
"From where we stand right now, we feel like we are good enough to go toe-to-toe with any team in the country on any given night," Gasbarro said. "Coach Palmer is extremely proud of where we are right now. We've bought into his system, we're working hard doing what he wants us to do ,and it's great to see our efforts pay off."
Following the trip to Brandeis, the Spartans will be on the road against Kenyon before returning home to face New York University on Oct. 8.
