The Observer, October 12, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 7
Men's soccer rolls over Brandeis in homecoming match, winning 3-0
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The Spartans got back on track this weekend with a huge victory over Brandeis. After losing their first conference game to NYU two weekends ago, Case was a little beaten up. Starters Neil Duryea and Jordan Cottington both came away from the game with minor injuries. Facing Notre Dame College the following Wednesday, the team used the game as a time to get their starters healthy and give some of their other players an opportunity to show the coaches what they could do. Both Cottington and Duryea did not play and Nick Furlani only played around 20 minutes. While Case lost the game 1-0, it had no effect on their chances for making the playoffs. It did put the Spartans in a two game hole leading up to their first ever homecoming game.
This did not stop the Spartans from giving alumni and students alike a great game and a great victory. "The guys had been looking forward to this game for a long time," said coach Dan Palmer. "They were very fired up to play." The team came out playing extremely well, with their first score coming in the form of a converted penalty kick by Kevin Bigart. After their fast start, the Spartans tapered off a little and gave Brandeis some opportunities towards the end of the half. However, goalie Chad Skidmore came through with clutch saves on more than one occasion.
In the second half, the team came out and played some of their best soccer yet. Matt Paglia continued his hot streak, scoring another two goals to give him a team-leading six goals on the season. Another player who has been on target as of late is Pranav Lohitsa, the team leader in assists. "Pranav really serviced the ball well, especially on the corner kick that lead to the third goal," said Palmer.
This week the Spartans had a long break between games that coach Palmer used to rest his players even more for another big conference showdown with Emory. "At this point in the season our endurance is up," said Palmer. "Now we need recovery." The team will also look to use the extra time to fine-tune their game plan and work on tactics. With the grind of a two-game-a-week schedule, it is often difficult for teams to really get into the finer points of their game. The hardest challenge, according to Palmer, is trying to schedule around classes. "Everyone's schedule is different and it is difficult to get everyone out at the same time."
The Spartans will need to find some compromise because they face arguably their biggest challenge yet Friday. Emory has lost only one game, which was to a nationally ranked Division II team. Case will focus on stopping their two prolific scorers, Patrick Carver and Patrick McFarland. Coach Palmer feels very good about their chances if they can neutralize those two players and if his team can score early. The match is at home this Friday and begins at 5 p.m.
