The Observer, October 6, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 6
Defense driving record-breaking season for men's soccer
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An unquestioned, age-old adage in the sports world is that 'defense wins championships.' The men's soccer team is putting that theory to the test this season with their stingy defense, which has led to being ranked 15th in the nation. After only 11 games, the Spartans have blazed to a record-setting 10-0-1 record and have only allowed two goals throughout the entire season. Adding to the team's success, five defenders (Scott Christensen, Greg Gasbarro, Neal Duryea, Noah Marciniak, and Zeyad Schwen) were recently named UAA co-athletes of the week for exceptional play.
Gasbarro, a senior, felt that the award reflected the team's hard work. "To get the honor as a unit attests to the hard work and determination each of us has set forth for this season," he said. "It's wonderful. A lot of the news and awards go to the guys that do the scoring."
This defensive unit, comprised of three seniors, has worked hard over their time at Case and takes great pride in both the nine shutouts they have had this year and the team's success.
"It's really nice knowing that a team can't beat us if they can't put the ball in the back of the net," Christensen said.
Unknown to most, the UAA is considered to be either the best or second-best Division III conference in the nation for soccer, with many ranked teams, so all the victories are difficult and satisfying. This group of leaders hopes to add them up this year, but understands the difficult task that they have ahead of them.
"Games in the UAA are what the season comes down to. It's nice to have a good non-conference record, but if we don't perform at the highest level, it just doesn't matter," Duryea said.
Having such an experienced team has undoubtedly helped out the defensive-minded Spartans. Coach Dan Palmer has changed to a 4-1-4-1 formation this year, but with the same concepts learned last year. The increased comfort levels and maturity with the system have led to the outstanding season so far.
These leaders, however, are not ready to pat themselves on the back right now and be satisfied. They understand that only through continued dedication and feisty play can they achieve success in the conference and retain national attention for the program.
"Obviously it's special to take spots in the record books, but we have so much more to accomplish," Marciniak said. "We are starting to get that national recognition, and that means teams really want to beat us more than ever."
This successful season has led to a renewed confidence in the program that some of the seniors did not feel when they were on the team as underclassmen.
"It feels great. I walk around campus proud to be sporting Case soccer apparel," said Duryea.
"It's a great feeling, and it's not one that I expected to experience during my first two seasons," Christensen said. "A new soccer era started with a changing mindset. We used to go into games expecting to lose, and now we start games expecting to bury teams."
As a nationally ranked team, the Spartans are without question a powerful program and one that only appears to be on the rise. Through their teamwork, dedication, and ability, they hope to continue this change and create a team of pride, for both Case students and for the players lucky enough to wear the blue and white. Some of the players are already reveling in that pride.
"I enjoy silencing forwards who like to talk trash," laughs Zeyad Schwen. The rest of the team and the fans enjoy that just as much.
