The Case men’s soccer team led themselves into a tight situation last weekend, after two away games against Carnegie Mellon University and Emory University.

The Spartans faced off against the Carnegie Mellon University Tartans, playing them to a 1-1 tie, before losing 0-1 to the Emory University Eagles, ranked 21st in Division III. This brings them to a 8-5-2 record overall and 2-2-2 in the University Athletic Association, and leaves them on the border of an NCAA championship appearance.

Against the Tartans, freshman forward Michael Balog was the standout scorer, with a goal off of a deflection in the 61st minute. This goal tied him with junior midfielder Chris Cvecko for goals scored this season; both have marked seven so far.

Despite missing several of their starting lineup, Carnegie Mellon fought back, closing in for the tie with an 81st minute goal by Ben Alderoty. Alderoty snapped freshman goalkeeper Calvin Boyle’s streak of 311 minutes without allowing a goal.

Neither the Spartans nor the Tartans scored again until the end of the match, with Case ending regulation leading in shots 13-11.

Two days later, the Spartan men lost 0-1 in a crucial match against the South Atlantic Region-leading Emory Eagles, snapping a five-match streak without a loss.

After an offside call negated an early Case goal, Emory took control of the match, scoring in the 29th minute with a low shot by Nick Schook inside the six-yard box.
The Eagles maintained their lead throughout the rest of the game, using an athletic, kick-and-run playing style to limit the Spartans to only six shots compared their 19.

Boyle recorded seven saves, compared to only two on the opposite end of the pitch, but was unable to stop the solitary goal that decided the outcome of the match.

In order to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans must defeat the University of Rochester in their final game of the regular season. Although Rochester won the UAA conference championship last year, they are ranked sixth this year, below Case Western.

The Spartans play next at Rochester on Saturday, Nov. 8, with kickoff at 4:30 p.m.