Ceci Dapino’s Early Goal Leads No. 8 Spartans to Road Win

Ceci Dapino’s Early Goal Leads No. 8 Spartans to Road Win

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Behind a 15th-minute goal from senior Ceci Dapino and a dominating defensive effort, the eighth-ranked Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team defeated Heidelberg University 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon at Hoernemann Stadium in Tiffin, Ohio.

With their fifth consecutive shutout to open the season, the Spartans improved to 5-0-0, while the Student Princes dropped to 0-3-1.

First Half

  • Following a short corner kick, senior Alexis Sassower sent a cross toward the goal line in the middle of the box. The ball was punched up in the air by the goalkeeper and then headed into the back of the net by Dapino
  • For Dapino, it was her third goal of the season and the 12th of her career. She has scored three times in every campaign since she arrived at CWRU
  • Five minutes later, first-year Mia Modrovich attempted a shot that required a save, and five minutes after that, senior Maggie Farra barely missed her ninth goal of the season when her shot hit the post
  • With under eight minutes to play in the half, the Heidelberg goalkeeper made another save, this time on a shot by sophomore Abby Welker in the low right corner, to prevent the Spartans from doubling their lead
  • The visitors had a pair of chances in the closing minutes of the second half, earning two free kicks from just outside the box. Neither attempt reached the back of the net
  • The Student Princes did not attempt a shot in the first half

Second Half

  • Six minutes after the break, CWRU nearly doubled its lead. Senior Julia Flynn received a corner kick in the middle of the box and sent a shot toward the goal. However, a Heidelberg defender was on the goal line and deflected the attempt away
  • A shot by senior Andrea Silva close to the goal was saved in the 63rd minute
  • The hosts attempted their first shot of the game in the 67th minute, nearly scoring on a set piece but with the ball hitting the post
  • Case Western Reserve continued to push its offensive attack, attempting six shots in the final 20 minutes, including two on goal
  • The Spartans ended the contest with a 22-1 advantage in shots and 9-0 edge in shots on goal

Spartan Notes

  • CWRU improved to 7-0-1 against Heidelberg in the all-time series that dates back to 1988, including shutout wins in the previous three contests. The game was the first matchup between the schools since 2013
  • Sophomore Ellie Palaian recorded her fifth shutout of the season, playing all 90 minutes in front of the net for the Spartans. Junior Kat Tsarouhas, sophomore Kinzly Gootman, and Modrovich played the entire game on the Spartan backline 
  • Case Western Reserve last started a season with five consecutive shutouts in 2019, beginning the season with 504 scoreless minutes. The program record for goalless games to start a campaign is seven, set during the 2002 season
  • The Spartans extended their non-conference regular season undefeated streak to 57 games, going 53-0-4 in those contests dating back to 2018
  • Dapino netted her second game-winning goal of the season and the fifth of her career