The Case Western Reserve University men's soccer team defeated Hobart College 3-2 in the First Round of the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship at Holloway Field in Cortland, New York, on Saturday, advancing to face host Cortland in the Second Round on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Spartans improved to 10-3-3 on the season with Head Coach Carter Poe's first postseason win as a collegiate head coach, while the Statesmen will end their season with a record of 12-6-2. The trip to the Second Round is the fourth in program history and the team's first since its quarterfinal run in 2018.

After both teams had chances that hit the woodwork in the first 26 minutes, the Spartans broke the scoreless deadlock, converting on a set piece. Senior defender Alex Lippiatt took a shot on a free kick that was saved by the Hobart goalkeeper and deflected into play. Junior forward Kysen Kroeger was able to find the loose ball and shoot it into the back of the net for his third goal of the season. Lippiatt, the team's primary set piece taker, earned his sixth assist of the campaign and second in as many matches.

The Statesmen quickly responded, scoring in the 34th minute on a long shot from about 25 yards out to tie the score at 1.

With the first half winding down, CWRU pushed ahead, scoring in the 44th minute on a goal by junior midfielder Lukas Dalakis. Dalakis fired a one-time shot from the top of the box into the low corner after receiving a string of passes from sophomore forward McLaren Baggett and senior midfielder Matt Vatne. The junior tallied his second goal of the season with the strike, and Baggett had his first career assist. Vatne earned his team-leading eighth assist of the season on the play and the 19th of his career, moving him into eighth place in program history with 53 career points.

In the second half, the Spartans extended their lead with a 63rd minute goal. Senior defender Jad Oglesby scored his first goal of the season on a three-on-two breakaway, firing a shot just below the crossbar and out of the goalkeeper's reach. Junior forward Brandon Kim was credited with an assist of the goal, his fourth of the season and second in two matches.

Within 68 seconds, Hobart cut its deficit to one with a goal by Chris Friedlander. However, the Spartans were able to keep their one-goal lead for the remainder of the match, turning away a pair of corner kicks and forcing one shot wide during the final 26 minutes of play.

Sophomore goalkeeper Bradley Winter recorded four saves to earn his first career postseason win. Shots were nearly even in the match, with Hobart holding a 14-13 advantage and both teams putting six on target. Oglesby (three shots), Kroger (two), and Dalakis (two) each tallied multiple efforts on goal for Case Western Reserve.