Spartan Women Shutout NYU, 2-0, in UAA Opener
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Goals in each half and a solid defensive effort led the Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team to a 2-0 shutout of visiting New York University in the 2012 University Athletic Association opener on Saturday evening at Case Field.
The Spartans improve to 6-2-2 overall and 1-0 in the UAA with its fourth-straight victory versus NYU (6-3, 0-1 UAA).
The Spartans got on the board early in the 17th minute when sophomore forward Jessie Sabers (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) headed in her team-best seventh goal of the season. Senior midfielder Deena Levey (Columbus, Ohio/Bexley) set the play with a corner kick that was tapped over to Sabers from senior defender Maeve Goede (Westlake, Ohio/Westlake).
Case then padded its lead in the 57th minute when junior forward Rachel Bourque (Newton, N.H./Central Catholic) scored her second goal via an assist from junior forward Leah Levey (Columbus, Ohio/Bexley).
NYU had a pair of late scoring threats that were both foiled by fine defensive plays.
The first came with 25:59 remaining when a loose ball was deflected at an open net, but Spartan sophomore midfielder Allie Debeljak (Beachwood, Ohio/Beachwood) extended out to kick the ball before it crossed the goal line. The second came with 3:25 remaining as freshman goalkeeper Megan Romelfanger (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) recorded a fine diving save to her right.
For the match, Romelfanger (3-0) posted a season-high five saves to record her first collegiate shutout in her first start. NYU's Meg Patten tallied four saves.
NYU outshot the Spartans, 15-13, but Case held the corner kick advantage, 7-2.
The Spartans are back in action at home this Tuesday, October 2 versus non-league foe Ohio Wesleyan University at 7:30 p.m.
