The Spartan Club, comprised of Case Institute of Technology (CIT), Western Reserve University (WRU) and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) alumni, parents of current students, faculty and staff, and friends of the University, is aimed at helping foster and honor the proud tradition of athletics at the University, while also supporting the current student-athletes. For more information on the Spartan Club, and to help support its purpose by becoming a member, CLICK HERE.
Case Western Reserve University senior Maggie Farra, a forward on the women's soccer team, and sophomore Mitchell Fein, a midfielder on the men's soccer team, have been named the Spartan Club Athletes of the Week for their performances this past week.
Farra scored four goals and added a pair of assists during a pair of 6-0 wins for the Spartans over the last week. On Wednesday night against John Carroll, she recorded her second hat trick of the season and tied the program record for points in a game with three goals and an assist. Farra struck in the second minute, 29th minute, and 55th minute, and assisted on a goal by senior Molly Shamah in the 23rd minute. Farra became the first player in program history to record multiple three-goal games in a career and in a single season. On Saturday against Grove City, Farra assisted on the team's first goal of the game, sending a pass to senior Alexis Sassower in the 20th minute. Five minutes later, she scored to double the team's lead in an eventual 6-0 win. This season, Farra leads the country with eight goals in four games and has added two assists for a team-high 18 points. CWRU improved to 4-0-0 this season with the team outscoring its opponents 25-0.
The Spartans will take a trip to Tiffin, Ohio, on Tuesday, September 9 to face Heidelberg University. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Fein scored the game-winning goal for the Spartans during the team's 1-0 win over Penn State Behrend on Saturday afternoon at DiSanto Field in Cleveland. Fein struck in the 37th minute for his second-game winning goal in as many games and also his second goal of the season. First-year defender Alex Eby launched a long ball into the 18-yard box that was headed away by a Lion defender but landed right at the feet of Fein. He then sent a laser from 15 yards out that sailed over the hands of the keeper and into the back of the net. CWRU improved to 3-0-0 on the season, posting three consecutive shutouts to open the 2025 campaign.
The Spartans will continue a four-game home stand on Wednesday, September 10, against Oberlin College. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start time at DiSanto Field.
The Spartan Club Athletes of the Week are selected by the CWRU Department of Athletics each Monday, based on their performance during the previous week of competition.
Honorable Mention:
Defensive specialist Sophia Datto (volleyball) paced the Spartans with 60 digs during the team's 2-2 week. Datto recorded 23 digs in a three-set loss to Mount Union on Wednesday, added 17 in a four-set loss to Heidelberg on Friday, and dug out 14 attacks in a four-set win over Westminster on Saturday. She also added five service aces and 10 assists during the week. This season, Datto leads the team with 132 digs (4.71 per set) and has added 20 assists and eight service aces. The Spartans improved to 2-6 on the season following competition on Saturday.
The Spartans will next make the short trip to Berea, Ohio, for a midweek matchup against Baldwin Wallace. The first serve on Wednesday, September 10, is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Sophomore Ellie Palaian (women's soccer) recorded a pair of shutouts last week for the Spartans during a pair of 6-0 wins. On Wednesday night, Palaian saved three shots in 90 minutes against John Carroll during the team's victory on the road. Later in the week, on Saturday, she recorded two saves during a 6-0 win over Grove City in Pennsylvania. Palaian has yet to allow a goal this season across 360 minutes, saving six shots in four contests.
Senior outside hitter Kalli Wall (volleyball) led the Spartans with 54 kills with a .299 attacking percentage during the team's 2-2 week. On Friday night during a four-set loss to Heidelberg, Wall put down 21 kills for her second 20-plus kill performance of the season. She added 10 digs during the contest. On Saturday, she had 10 kills and only one attacking error in a sweep of Earlham and recorded 17 kills with a .438 attacking percentage in a four-set victory over Westminster. This season, Wall has 101 kills (3.68 per set), 42 digs, and 17 blocks.
Senior defender Phillip Washington (men's soccer) helped the Spartan defense record its third consecutive shutout to start the 2025 campaign in a 1-0 victory over Penn State Behrend on Saturday. Washington played all 90 minutes on the CWRU backline, limiting the Lions to just four shots in the contest and only one on goal. Washington has played all 270 minutes for Case Western Reserve this season with the team allowing only two shots on goal per contest.
Case Western Reserve junior Katie Wong won all six of her matches at the Big Red Invitational hosted by Denison University on Saturday and Sunday. Wong prevailed 6-2, 6-0 over Maddie Larsen of Denison, 6-1, 6-0 over Carlie Mitchell of Centre, and 6-3, 6-2 over Ohio Northern's Jenna Bell. In doubles play, Wong partnered with first-year Emma Thoms, winning 6-3 against a pair from Denison, 6-2 over a partnership from Centre, and 6-4 over Ohio Northern's doubles pairing. Overall, combined to go 34-6 (.850) against the Big Red, Polar Bears, and Colonels, including a 13-2 (.867) record in doubles play and 21-4 (.840) mark in singles matches.
The Spartans continue their fall season in Gambier, Ohio, traveling to Kenyon College for the Kenyon Invitational from Saturday, September 13 to Sunday, September 14.
Sophomore running back Andy Kavcic (football) led the team in rushing and receiving yards during the team's 17-17 weather-shortened season-opening tie at Rowan University on Saturday. Kavcic carried the ball 10 times for 60 yards and caught three passes for 95 yards. Among his three receptions was a career-long 60-yard touchdown reception that gave the Spartans a 14-7 lead with four seconds remaining in the first quarter.
2025-26 Spartan Club Athletes of the Week:
Sept. 2: Jacob Slater (men's cross country team) & Jamie Goldfarb (women's soccer)
Sept. 8: Maggie Farra (women's soccer) & Mitchell Fein (men's soccer)
