CLEVELAND – A goal in the 41st minute by senior forward Leah Levey (Columbus, Ohio/Bexley) was just enough as the Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team defeated Ohio Northern University, 1-0, on Tuesday evening at Case Field.

The Spartans even their record at 4-4 and will wrap up a brief, two-match home stand this Sunday, September 29 versus local-rival John Carroll University at 1:00 p.m.

The first half didn't see many significant scoring threats until the 40:08 mark when Levey took a tap pass and deposited a short shot into the bottom left corner of the ONU net. Sophomore forward Kiley Armstrong (Sylvania, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy) set Levey up after an initial cross into the box by sophomore midfielder Kate Dolansky (Brecksville, Ohio/Hathaway Brown).

Soon after halftime, the Polar Bears threatened following a corner kick from Abbie Schauble. A scramble ensued in front of the net, but back-to-back shots were blocked, a third was saved by Spartan junior goalkeeper Abbey Smith (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty), and a fourth sailed just high. ONU's Sally Plunkett accounted for two of the four shots that came in just over a minute.

The Polar Bears kept the attack on and saw another look at the goal miss when a Sam Atkinson header missed just wide at 65:07.

Late in the second half, Ohio Northern had a golden opportunity to tie the game. Kristina Klusek sent in a corner kick that was redirected towards the goal by Kelsey Robinson, but Smith sensationally turned it against her post. The rebound fell to Ohio Northern's Sami Atkinson, whose shot was blocked.

With just under five minutes remaining, Dolansky looked to add to the lead for the Spartans when she curled a shot from the corner of the box, but her effort was saved and the rebound went behind for a corner. Levey's corner was initially cleared, but she received the ball again and sent it into the box. After a massive scramble in front of the goal, the Polar Bears were able to desperately clear.

Neither side threatened to score for the remainder of the game as Case was able to control the ball and run out the clock to earn its fourth victory of the season.

Statistically, the match was even as each team had 15 shots and four shots on goal. Ohio Northern held the advantage in corner kicks, 11-2.