No. 8 Spartans Earn 1-1 Draw in Top-10 Matchup to Remain Unbeaten

No. 8 Spartans Earn 1-1 Draw in Top-10 Matchup to Remain Unbeaten

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The eighth-ranked Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team battled third-ranked Christopher Newport University to a 1-1 tie on Friday evening at the Jay Martin Soccer Complex in Delaware, Ohio.

Both teams remained undefeated on the season with the Spartans moving to 5-0-1 and the Captains moving to 4-0-1.

CWRU held a 19-14 advantage in shots, 5-2 edge in corner kicks, and 8-3 advantage in shots on goal.

First Half

  • Christopher Newport held possession early, attempting six shots in the first 20 minutes of play
  • The Spartans had two chances on goal in the following 10 minutes but both were saved
  • First-year Emily Callanen had a pair of shots in the 35th minute inside the box that required a deft save by the CNU goalkeeper
  • In a scoreless first half, sophomore goalkeeper Ellie Palaian made a pair of saves

Second Half

  • CWRU reversed the script in the second half, outshooting Christopher Newport 14-5 in the final 45 minutes
  • The Spartans finally broke through in the 63rd minute on the second goal of the season by senior Alexis Sassower
  • Senior Julia Flynn attempted a cross into the box from about 25 yards away that was deflected away from the goal
  • Sassower found the ball and fired a strike into the top corner of the frame to put the Spartans ahead
  • She netted her 11th career goal, and Flynn was credited with her second helper of the year
  • Case Western Reserve continued its attack but was unable to double its advantage
  • With just seven minutes remaining in the contest, the Captains found an equalizer, scoring on a free kick near the corner that was headed into the back of the net
  • The goal was the first allowed this season by CWRU, breaking a 532:38 stretch of scoreless soccer to begin the campaign for the Spartan defense
  • Both teams attempted one final shot in the closing minutes, but neither were able to break through

Spartan Notes

  • The meeting was the first ever between Christopher Newport and Case Western Reserve
  • The Spartans extended their unbeaten streak in non-conference regular season games to 58 games, moving their record to 53-0-5 in those contests
  • Sassower and senior Maggie Farra both had a team-high four shots with Sassower putting three on frame and Farra putting two on goal
  • Six members of the squad played all 90 minutes of the contest with two additional players on the field for at least 80 minutes