CLEVELAND – Junior midfielder Chris Cvecko (Erie, Pa./McDowell) scored in the first half then assisted on a goal in the second to lead the Case Western Reserve University men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory versus Washington University in St. Louis on Seniors' Night at DiSanto Field.

With the win, the Spartans improve to 8-4-2 overall and 2-1 in the University Athletic Association. The Bears, who allowed multiple goals in regulation for the first time all season, drop to 6-5-1, 0-3 UAA.

Prior to the match, CWRU honored its five men's soccer senior student-athletes: Dan Bavaro (Medina, Ohio/Medina), Ryan Finstad (Rochester, Mich./Rochester Stoney Creek), Taylor Fletcher (Missouri City, Texas/Strake Jesuit College Prep), Bairdy Hansen (Cazenovia, N.Y./Manlius Pebble Hill) and Ryan Meyer (Lebanon, Ohio/Bishop Fenwick).

Cvecko, who opened the scoring in the 30th minute, now has a team-best 18 points on seven goals and four assists this season. Sophomore midfielder Jacob Grindel (Milwaukee, Wis. Marquette University), injured most of this season, added his first goal as insurance in the 68th minute.

The Spartans controlled the action early on although both sides had an early scoring chance. The Bears threatened first at 15:07, but a shot by Jack West sailed high. Just over two minutes later, CWRU freshman forward Michael Balog (Chapel Hill, N.C./East Chapel Hill) had a good look at the net also miss high as the match remain scored.

Then at the 29:09 mark, Cvecko collected a loose ball in the box, displayed some fancy footwork, and fired a successful shot into the right corner of the net.

The Bears had one more decent chance in the 33rd minute, but a shot by Andrew Zingone missed high as the Spartans went into half with the advantage.

The opening minutes of the second half were action-packed. The Spartans threatened to add to their advantage at 47:13 as Meyer had a sharp header following a corner from sophomore forward Joshua Prosser (Springfield, Va./South County) saved by Washington U. goalkeeper Daniel Geanon.

The Bears had two strong looks at 51:20 and 51:37, the second of which by Will Mishra deflected off of freshman goalkeeper Calvin Boyle (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) and into the post. The Spartans followed with two more shots of their own by Balog at 52:15 and 52:18, but Gleanon came through with two saves.

After 15 more minutes of scoreless action, CWRU put the match away when Cvecko centered a ball into the box for a charging Grindel to finish at the 67:22 mark.

For the match, the Spartans led in shots (12-11) and corner kicks (6-3).

In net, Boyle finished with four saves for his fourth shutout. Geanon needed seven saves for the Bears.

The Spartans conclude the home portion of the schedule this Sunday, October 19 versus the University of Chicago at 11:00 a.m.