The 25th-ranked Case Western Reserve University men's soccer team dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 decision to the 18th-ranked University of Mount Union at Kehres Stadium in Alliance, Ohio, on Tuesday night.

The Spartans lost their first contest of the season, falling to 5-1-1 overall. The Purple Raiders improved to 7-0-0 with the win.

About halfway through the first half, Alex Depperschmidt scored for Mount Union on a free kick to put the hosts up 1-0.

The Spartans responded less than four minutes later on a set piece of their own in the 26th minute. Senior defender Alex Lippiatt set a free kick into the eight-yard box. Junior forward Brandon Kim, who was unmarked in the box, headed the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to tie the score at 1. It was his second goal in as many matches, and Lippiatt earned his second assist of the season on the play.

Jamon McCourt of Mount Union scored with 18 seconds remaining in the match to win it for the Purple Raiders.

Sophomore goalkeeper Bradley Winter made five saves in the match, including a couple diving efforts in the second half to keep the score tied. Senior midfielder Matt Vatne had a team-high five shots, including three on target. Mount Union held a 12-10 advantage in shots and 7-6 edge in shots on goal.

CWRU will look to rebound from the loss on Saturday when the team returns to DiSanto Field to host Denison at 1 p.m.