Women’s Soccer
Over the weekend, the Case Western Reserve University women’s soccer team faced Emory University in a pivotal matchup to determine second place in the UAA standings.
Both teams entered the contest with identical 3-1-1 conference records and were ranked back-to-back in the NCAA Power Index, with Emory at No. 2 and CWRU at No. 3.
The match lived up to the hype, as the Spartans came out strong with two shots and a pair of corner kicks in the opening five minutes. Fourth-year co-captain Alexis Sassower and first-year Izzy Probst produced CWRU’s best first-half scoring chances, both turned away by the Eagles’ goalkeeper. Emory countered with a corner kick soon after, but the first half ended in a 0-0 deadlock.
The Eagles came out aggressive after halftime, but the Spartans answered with several strong opportunities, including three shots from fourth-year midfielder Ceci Dapino that were all saved. Despite CWRU’s pressure, Emory broke through in the 81st minute with a long shot from outside the box to take a 1-0 lead. The Spartans were unable to find an equalizer, suffering just their second conference loss of the season.
The result marked the first time this year that CWRU was held scoreless, snapping a 20-game regular-season streak with at least one goal.
Following the weekend’s results, Washington University in St. Louis clinched the UAA title with a win over NYU. The Spartans will look to finish strong with one final UAA match at Carnegie Mellon University on Saturday, Nov. 8, as they aim to secure third place and bolster their case for an NCAA Tournament berth.
Men’s Soccer
Like the women, the men also took on Emory University this weekend, falling to the Eagles 0-1 and moving to 1-3-2 in conference play.
Before the starting whistle the team honored its seven graduating seniors: McLaren Baggett, Ben Collier, Hayden Fischer, Camden Larson, Stephen Vilardo, Phillip Washington and Bradley Winter.
The Spartans held off the Eagles in the first half, with Winter making two standout saves in the eighth and sixteenth minute to keep the game scoreless. CWRU had an opportunity from second-year midfielder Mitchell Fein and first-year defender Alex Eby, but both were saved by the Emory goalkeeper. The half ended 0-0.
The Spartans started the second half strong with sophomore midfielder Owen Guffey having a chance on goal just 85 seconds into the period. The rest of the period went back and forth. Winter came up with four saves to hold back the Eagles, but the Eagles were able to break through in the 68th minute scoring off of a corner kick. Sophomore forward Ashton McNally would have the final chance of the period, but it was saved by the Emory goalkeeper.
Winter recorded a season-high six saves during the 90 minutes of play. The Spartans will conclude their season on the road against Carnegie Mellon University on Saturday Nov. 8 in a doubleheader with the women’s team.
Football
The CWRU football team’s four-game winning streak ended over the weekend with a 17-28 loss to PAC leader Washington & Jefferson College. The Spartans now stand at 4-2 in conference play and 4-3-1 overall.
The Presidents opened with an 83-yard scoring drive, but CWRU answered with a 19-yard field goal from third-year kicker Gabriel Petrozzi and a touchdown connection between third-year quarterback Sam DeTillio and second-year receiver Will Stack to take a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter. Washington & Jefferson responded with two late first-half touchdowns to go up 21-10 at halftime.
A Spartan fumble early in the third quarter led to another President touchdown, extending the deficit to 28-10. DeTillio led a quick counterattack with a 31-yard run and a 39-yard completion to graduate student wide receiver Brian Caldwell Jr., finishing the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown to cut the lead to 28-17. Despite a strong defensive fourth quarter that forced three punts, CWRU couldn’t capitalize, and a late fumble sealed the loss.
During the match, fourth-year linebacker Daniel King tied his career high with 15 tackles, while Swarm recorded his sixth straight game with a sack. DeTillio now leads the team with 383 rushing yards and 12 passing touchdowns.
CWRU returns home to DiSanto Field next Saturday, Nov. 8, for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against Grove City.
Swim and Dive
The 11th-ranked CWRU men’s and 13th-ranked women’s swimming and diving teams both fell to nationally ranked Carnegie Mellon on Saturday at the Veale Natatorium. The losses moved both Spartan squads to 3–1 in dual meets this season, while the Tartans improved to 2–0.
Despite the team defeats, several Spartans earned individual victories. For the women, fourth-year Claire Kozma won the 50-yard freestyle (24.03) and 200-yard freestyle (1:54.85), and teamed with first-year Sohalya Rawlins, fourth-year Eliza Dixon and second-year Marina Oria to win the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:36.47). First-year Jayna Kawas captured the 1-meter dive (239.95).
On the men’s side, fourth-year John Drumm swept the distance events, winning the 500-yard freestyle (4:40.72) and 1000-yard freestyle (9:44.34). First-year Ryan Wells claimed both diving titles and was awarded UAA Men’s diving athlete of the week for his efforts. Fourth-year William Froass won the 100-yard backstroke (51.10), fourth-year Julian Kim took the 100-yard breaststroke (57.34) and first-year Oliver Lazenby won the 200-yard breaststroke (2:07.27).
CWRU will return to action at home against Division II Gannon University on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m.
Volleyball
The CWRU volleyball team honored its four graduating seniors on Saturday before facing No. 23-ranked Otterbein University. The Spartans fell in straight sets, 20–25, 18–25, 13–25, dropping to 14–13 overall, while the Cardinals improved to 22–4 on the season.
CWRU opened strong with an 8–2 run behind kills from second-year setter Avery Basinger, fourth-years middle blocker Amanda Ngo, outsider hitter Kalli Wall and middle blocker Kiya Levy. The teams battled evenly through much of the first set, reaching a 20–20 tie before Otterbein closed with five straight points. The Cardinals maintained control in the second set, using a mid-frame surge to pull ahead and secure a 2–0 match lead. Otterbein carried that momentum into the third, building an early advantage and sealing the sweep despite a late push from the Spartans.
Despite the loss, the match came with impressive stats for the Spartans. Ngo led the Spartans with 11 kills and a .450 hitting percentage while Wall added nine kills and two blocks. Second-year defensive specialist Sophia Datto paced the team with eight digs and recorded a service ace, and second-year setter Elena Esquivel tallied a team-high 18 assists and four digs. Basinger also contributed seven assists and five digs.
The Spartans will wrap up their regular season on the road against Wooster on Saturday, November 8, at 1 p.m., before heading to Waltham, Massachusetts, for the UAA Championship the following weekend.