Box Score Behind one goal in each half and a strong defensive effort, the 10th-ranked Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team defeated Ohio Northern University 2-0 at DiSanto Field in Cleveland, Ohio in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship.
The Spartans (16-1-2) advance to the sectional round next weekend against the 16th-ranked University of Chicago (14-2-4) at a date, time, and location to be determined. Check back at athletics.case.edu later in the week for more details as information becomes available.
The Polar Bears end their season with a record of 14-5-3.
The victory marks the program's third-ever win in the NCAA tournament. The sectional semifinals also marks the furthest any Spartan women's soccer team has advanced in the championship tournament. CWRU now owns a 3-1-1 record in postseason appearances.
After controlling possession for most of the first half, senior defender Kat Rebele scored her first goal of the season in the 25th minute to put the Spartans ahead. Junior forward Aniya Hartzler sent a corner into the middle of the box that Rebele expertly headed past the Polar Bear goalkeeper to give CWRU a 1-0 lead.
Case Western Reserve doubled its advantage in the 68th minute with a goal from first-year forward Carolyn Koutures. Senior midfielder Anika Washburn sent a pass toward the middle of the box to Hartzler. She pushed the ball to Koutures who shot it into the low corner of the goal for her second of the season.
Hartzler's assist on the goal was her second of the game and fourth in the last two games. She now has seven assists this season and 11 for her career.
With her assist, Washburn set a new program record for points in a career with 75, breaking a tie with former Spartan Sandra Oh. Washburn's 10 assists this season tie the program record for assists in a season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Maggie Storti saved three shots and pitched her 10th shutout of the season, tying her for the most in a single season in program history. It was the Spartans' 13th shutout of the season and the team has not conceded a goal in its last 456 minutes.
CWRU outshot ONU 23-4 and held the Polar Bears without a shot in the second half. The Spartans also earned seven corner kicks in the game.
Case Western Reserve earned its 13th straight non-conference win and the team is unbeaten in its last 27 non-conference matches, including regular and postseason play. The team's two goals increase the season total to 48, setting a new program record for goals in a season.
