Behind goals from four different players, the 10^th-ranked Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team defeated Chatham University 5-0 in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship on Friday afternoon at DiSanto Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Spartans (15-1-2) advance to the second round of the tournament and will face the winner of the match between Ohio Northern University and Hope College. The second round match will be tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. on DiSanto Field. The Cougars' season ends with a record of 12-6-1.

The win was the Spartans' second-ever in NCAA Tournament play, and their first since a 3-0 win over Lebanon Valley College in the first round of the 2011 tournament. CWRU improved to 2-1-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament matches.

Senior forward Christina Hickson led the Spartans' offensive attack, recording two goals and an assist during the match.

In the 35th minute, senior midfielder Anika Washburn put the Spartans ahead with a goal from outside the 18-yard box that hit the crossbar and went into the back of the net. Washburn received a pass from Hickson before the shot, earning Hickson her 10^th career assist and sixth for the season.

Washburn's goal was the 30^th of her career, tying former Spartan Sandra Oh's career program record, and her 14^th of the season, tying her own single-season program record set in 2019. With an assist on the Spartans' final goal of the game, Washburn earned her 74^th career point, tying Oh's career program record for points. Her team-leading nine assists are tied for second most in a single season in program history, one away from former Spartan Hallie Graor's record of 10 set in 1999.

In the 43^rd minute, senior defender Greta Lazzara doubled the Spartan advantage with her second goal of the season. She received a ball in the center of the box from first-year midfielder Sydney Schenk and pushed a sliding shot past the diving Chatham goalkeeper. Schenk earned her eighth assist of the season on the goal.

Junior forward Helina VanBibber increased the CWRU lead to three with a header off a free kick from junior forward Aniya Hartzler in the 50^th minute. Hartzler sent a soaring ball into the box from the far side of the field, and VanBibber headed it into the goal for her fourth goal of the season.

Hickson scored her first goal in the 82^nd minute, chipping the ball outside the box over the goalkeeper's head on a ball from Hartzler from midfield. Hartzler's assist was her fifth this season. Hickson added her second goal in the 89^th minute with an assist from Washburn, her 11th goal of the season. Hickson's 60 career points are fifth most in program history, while her 25 career goals tie her for third most in program history with former Spartan Sarah Rogers.

Sophomore goalkeeper Maggie Storti started in goal, saving one shot and earning her 15^th win of the season, while lowering her goals against average to 0.46 for the campaign. She combined with sophomore goalkeeper Sydney Stone, who recorded two saves, on Case Western Reserve's 12^th shutout this season.    

The Spartans earned their 12^th straight non-conference win and the team is unbeaten in its last 26 non-conference matches, including regular and postseason play. The five goals bring the Spartans' season total to 46, tying the program record for goals in a season with the 2019 and 1995 teams.