The Observer, September 7, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 2
Men's soccer moves up to fifth in nation
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Hosting Lawrence University and Allegheny College last weekend in the Case Tournament, the Case men's soccer team has taken care of business. Winning both games in the tournament to take first place, the Spartans, according to junior Zeyad Schwen, have yet to face a true test. Allowing only one goal so far this season (which was an own goal), the Case defense, an area of concern, has solidified over its first few games. The Spartans beat Lawrence College 2-1 and Allegheny 1-0.
"The weekend went real well," Schwen said. "We won both games. They were closer than they should have been, but we were still executing. We will be facing much harder teams over the next few weeks, especially in the UAA, but we are working out the kinks. We will have to play better." The Spartans are now ranked fifth in the nation because several top teams, including NYU, lost one of their first two games.
"We are still a young defense. Filling in the three [defensive] positions, we are learning to work together. The freshman Nick [Ivanovic] and I are in the middle," said Schwen, "and [sophomore Jordan] Cottington is on the right. We are still figuring out the left, though, with [junior Justin] Steggerda or Will Green. The team chemistry is still there from last year, but this year we are more skilled and in better shape and have improved our speed. Last year we had a lot of opportunities, but we didn't always capitalize and finish, but this year I see us executing much more consistently and at a higher rate once we iron everything out."
The men's team followed the undefeated weekend with a 3-0 rout at John Carroll University on Sept. 4. In another match that did not challenge them to their full potential, according to Schwen, the Spartans found out more about themselves.
"We need to learn to not play down," said Schwen. "That means when we play a team that is not on our level, we sometimes find ourselves playing down to the team's lower level of play. We need to learn to keep our speed and intensity up. Against John Carroll we scored in the first 32 seconds and then at four and a half minutes once again. We had a chance to annihilate them, but we slowed down to their pace and let them get going. In the second half we put the pressure back on, but we should have put at least four or five in the net the first half. We gave them a chance and we will have to learn to not let that happen again."
The Spartans travel to Juniata College tomorrow afternoon, attempting to continue their undefeated season.
