On Sept. 9, the Case Western Reserve University men’s soccer team kept its winning streak alive, defeating Capital University 1-0 on DiSanto Field. Since 2001, CWRU and Capital have had 12 matches, and CWRU had seven wins and five losses. During that period, CWRU scored 19 goals against the Capital while conceding 16. With both teams lacking a championship trophy for almost 50 years, the two teams are desperate to have a strong regular season showing so they can qualify for the 2023 NCAA Division III tournament.

CWRU’s starting lineup was focused on defense, as it is built in a 4-5-1 formation with four defenders (fourth-year Jad Oglesby, fourth-year Alex Lippiatt, fourth-year Josh Cook, third-year Sawyer Dockal), five midfielders (fourth-year Matt Vatne, first-year Sean Wilson, second-year Camden Larson, second-year McLaren Baggett, fourth-year Ryan Doughty, fourth-year Jacob Salmon) and one striker (third-year Brandon Kim). The formation will help the team increase ball possession and produce more opportunities to make shots with the increased number of midfielders. As a result, the sole striker can easily possess the ball and have more opportunities for goal despite increased responsibility and chance of isolation.

CWRU started off the match by making the leading goal 12 minutes into the game as Vatne found the back of the net off an assist from Kim. CWRU then started making active substitutions among midfielders and attackers based on what was needed to maintain a firm defense. Second-year Spartan goalkeeper Bradley Winter saved 2 shots from Capital’s Jarrett Puckett and Derrick Harris and kept a clean sheet for four matches in a row. The Spartans attempted 14 shots, with 7 shots on goal, in which only a single goal was made, with nearly half of the shots missing the goal. Also, CWRU was offside six times and committed 12 fouls (9 in the first half, 3 in the second half).

Capital’s starting lineup of 3-4-3 formation with three defenders (Alex Moore, Jarrett Puckett, Colton Daugherty), four midfielders (Tony Epstein, Jack Kossoudji, Brennan Hesse, Jacob Deever) and three attackers (Jack Francisco, Colin McComb, Derrick Harris). The formation is likely to help the team with ball possession and opportunities of counterattacks while requiring the defenders, especially wingbacks, to make passes and participate in attack. However, it also puts a higher toll on defenders and increases the opportunity to concede a goal.

Capital was sluggish on attack and only produced 5 shots. They made 2 shots on goal, but both were saved by the CWRU goalie Winter. Despite conceding a goal 12 minutes into the game, Capital goalkeeper Ethan Ogden successfully saved 6 shots on goal, with the other 7 shots aimed away from the goal post. Capital also conceded 7 corner kicks and committed 10 fouls. Despite constantly making substitutions between midfielders and forwards, Capital wasn’t able to possess the ball for long or create sufficient chances to create an equalizer.

CWRU will host Allegheny College on Saturday, Sept. 16 on DiSanto Field at 1 p.m. before hitting the road on Sept. 19 to face Mount Union College.