From Case Western Reserve University Athletics

The second-ranked Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team started its season with a 2-1 win over crosstown rival John Carroll University on Friday night at DiSanto Field in Cleveland.

With the win, the Spartans open the 2023 campaign with a record of 1-0-0, while the Blue Streaks fall to 0-1-0. CWRU won its 34th consecutive regular season non-conference match, a streak that stretches back to the 2018 season.

Sophomore forward Maggie Farra put the Spartans on the board late in the first half, scoring her first goal of the season in the 32nd minute. Sophomore forward Andrea Silva crossed a corner kick into the box, and Farra headed it on a lob into the back of the net. Silva earned her fourth career assist, and first of the season, on the play, while Farra recorded her sixth career goal.

In the 54th minute, senior midfielder/forward Helina VanBibber doubled the Spartan advantage with her 15th career goal. Junior defender Katie Rishel arched the ball from the middle of the field into the middle of the box. VanBibber was able to reach it before the defender and goalkeeper, kicking it into the bottom corner of the open net. Rishel earned her second career assist and first of the season with the pass.

The Blue Streaks would half the deficit with a goal in the 82nd minute, but the visitors were unable to find an equalizer in the final eight minutes of play.

CWRU outshot John Carroll 19-5 with a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Spartans nearly doubled the Blue Streaks possession in the contest, frequently controlling the ball in the attacking third. Sophomore midfielder/forward Ceci Dapino and first-year defender Kat Tsarouhas each had a match-high three shots.

Senior goalkeeper Maggie Storti (1-0-0) earned the win, extending her program record to 31 victories, after saving two shots.