CHICAGO, Ill. -- Freshman midfielder Jessica Sabers (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) recorded the second goal of her career and first game-winning score leading the No. 18 nationally-ranked Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team past University Athletic Association opponent and No. 23-ranked University of Chicago (Ill.) by a 1-0 tally on Friday evening at Stagg Field.

With the win, the Spartans, ranked No. 18 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) national poll, improve to 12-2-2 overall and 4-1 in the University Athletic Association. Those 12 victories tie the 1991 squad (12-6 overall) for the most team victories in a single season. Additionally, the clean sheet by senior goalkeeper Anna Kennedy (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) and the rest of the defensive unit gives the Spartans 10 shutouts this fall, also tying the 1991 team for the single-season team record.  

Chicago, ranked No. 23 in that same NSCAA national poll, falls to 8-5-2 overall and 1-2-2 in the UAA.

The Spartans and Maroons were unable to break through into the scoring column in the opening 45 minutes with the hosts owning a slight 10-7 advantage in shots.

Following five more shots in the second half, Case finally broke through as Sabers scored her second goal of the season via an assist from junior midfielder Kendra Simmons (Medina, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) at the 76:27 mark. Sabers scored the lone goal on a breakaway after taking the helper from Simmons near midfield.

For the match, the Maroons managed two more shots (12-10), but the Spartans held a slight edge in corner kicks (4-3).

In net, Kennedy needed three saves for the shutout, while Chicago's Emma Gormley was credited with four stops in the loss.

The Spartans conclude their UAA weekend and will travel down to St. Louis, Missouri, to take on No. 17 Washington University at 1:30 p.m. (CDT) on Sunday, October 30.