CLEVELAND, Ohio – A first career goal in the 81st minute by senior midfielder Aaron Mayer (Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island) and late offensive pressure weren't enough as the Case Western Reserve University men's soccer team lost a 2-1 decision to No. 21 nationally-ranked Hiram College on Wednesday night at Case Field.

The Spartans drop to 3-7-1 overall and will play a fourth-consecutive Top-25 team in University Athletic Association foe Brandeis University (Mass.) on Saturday, October 6. Hiram stays unbeaten for the season at 10-0-1 overall.

The Terriers didn't waste much time lighting up the scoreboard as Ryan Minick blasted an unassisted goal from 30 yards out at the 3:36 mark. The visitors added to their lead just under 12 minutes later at 15:22 when Ty Smith grabbed a loose ball pass from Ryan Kramarz and found the back of the Spartan net.

Case had a solid opportunity to get on the board in the 66th minute but back-to-back shots by Mayer and fellow senior midfielder Rene Silva (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) were each saved by Hiram goalkeeper Joe Rottinger.

However, the Spartans kept the pressure on and eventually broke through when Mayer headed in a shot following a pass from senior back Kostis Theoharides (Brookline, Mass./Brookline) at the 80:09 mark.

The Spartans continued to control the pace from there, but saw several scoring threats foiled as Hiram held on for the win.

In goal, senior Ryan Koepka (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) recorded three saves but fell to 2-6-1 for the season. Rottinger posted six stops for the victors.

For the match, the Spartans outshot Hiram, 16-10, including 12-2 in the final stanza, and held an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.

The Spartans (0-1 UAA) will look gain points in conference play at No. 9 Brandeis this Saturday. Kickoff in Waltham, Massachusetts is set for 1:30 p.m.