From Case Western Reserve University Athletics

The Case Western Reserve University men's soccer team opened its season with a 1-0 win over Otterbein University on Friday evening at Memorial Stadium in Westerville, Ohio.

With the win, the Spartans begin the 2023 campaign with a 1-0-0 record, while the Cardinals fall to 0-1-0. CWRU has not lost a season-opening match since 2009, going 10-0-3 in those 13 matches.

Senior midfielder Jacob Salmon scored the first goal of the season in the 17th minute with an assist from senior midfielder Matt Vatne. Vatne crossed the ball from the left side of the field into the six-yard box over the goalkeeper's head. Salmon found the ball on the far post and fired it toward the near post into the back of the net.

It was the fifth goal of Salmon's career and 12th assist of Vatne's career.

Salmon's goal would stand up for the rest of the contest. Sophomore goalkeeper Bradley Winter, making his first career start, and the Spartan defense held the Cardinals scoreless for the entire 90 minutes. Winter recorded three saves and his first career win and shutout.

Overall, CWRU outshot Otterbein 11-9, with a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal. Vatne had a team-high three shots on goal. Salmon, junior midfielder Lukas Dalakis, and senior defender Alex Lippiatt all recorded two shots.