Box Score CLEVELAND, Ohio – All-American senior forward Vinny Bell (Parma Heights, Ohio/Valley Forge) scored in the 49th minute of action as the Case Western Reserve University men's soccer team defeated rival University of Rochester (N.Y.), 1-0, to capture a share of the 2011 University Athletic Association Championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The Spartans end the regular season at 14-4 overall and 5-2 in the UAA. Case's 15 points in the conference tie those of Washington University (Mo.), also 5-2, but the Spartans receive the automatic qualifier by virtue of their victory versus the Bears last Sunday. The UAA Title and NCAA Tourney berth are the second in program history and first since 2006.
Case will learn its first round opponents this Monday, November 7 on the NCAA Selection Show that is scheduled to air live at 1:00 p.m. on NCAA.com.
Bell broke the scoreless tie early in the second half at the 48:01 mark on a header following a crossing pass from junior midfielder Ross Twanmoh (Fallston, Md./Fallston). Bell, CWRU's all-time leader in career goals (42), career points (99), goals in a season (19) and points in a season (48), leads the UAA in points, goals and assists.
Spartan senior defender and captain Niro Wimalasena started his 74th career match on Saturday to set the CWRU career record.
In goal, senior Ben Yabrow (Marietta, Ga./George Walton Comprehensive) recorded five saves en route to his fourth shutout of the season. Rochester's Scott Garfing made four stops in net for the Yellowjackets.
