DELAWARE, Ohio – Squaring off with the defending NCAA Division III National Champion, the Case Western Reserve University men's soccer team fell behind early and never recovered in a 5-0 loss at Ohio Wesleyan University on Wednesday evening at Roy Rike Field.

The Spartans drop to 3-5-1 overall heading into the 2012 University Athletic Association opener versus New York University this Saturday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Case Field. OWU, tied for 14th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America national poll, improves to 6-1-2.

Saturday's UAA opener with NYU is part of a Homecoming tripleheader at Case Western Reserve University. The Spartan football team plays host to Wittenberg University at 1:00 p.m., while the Spartan women's soccer team plays NYU at 5:00 p.m.

Ohio Wesleyan came out firing posting a trio of goals in the opening half. Colton Bloecher recorded an unassisted tally just 2:07 into the match and another in the 22nd minute on a helper from Matt Shadoan, while Kit North converted a penalty kick in the 33rd minute.

The hosts added two more scores following the halftime break. Bloecher completed his "hat trick" in the 62nd minute on an assist from Jon Stegner, while Brian Schaefer completed the scoring in the 81st minute on an assist from Ricardo Balmaceda.

In net, sophomore Jay Darby (Flower Mound, Texas/Argyle) recorded four saves in 45:00 of action, while senior Ryan Koepka (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) had three saves during the second stanza for Case. Paul Hendricks got the starting nod and improved to 6-1-2 in the first half between the pipes for the Battling Bishops, while Colin Beemiller played the final stanza.

For the match, Ohio Wesleyan outshot Case by a 35-4 count, and also held a slight edge in corner kicks, 7-5.