CLEVELAND, Ohio – Senior Owen Culver's 34th minute score proved to be the difference as the Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team blanked University Athletic Association opponent, Case Western Reserve University, Sunday, October 22. With the win, WashU's record vaults to .500 with a 6-6-1 (2-3-1 UAA) clip, while the Spartans' record slipped to 7-3-3 (1-2-2 UAA). 
 

CWRU outshot the Bears by a final tally of 8-4. Culver produced three of WashU's shots, including all three shots on frame. Graduate student Christopher Alwang notched the other shot for the Bears. 
 

First-year keeper Cal L'Hommedieu earned his first collegiate 90-minute shutout. L'Hommedieu grabbed three saves, including a fantastic, match-saving save, in the 82nd minute. 
 

In the third minute of action, Culver produced the first opportunity for either program. Culver received possession in the top of the 18 and fired a shot to the right side of the frame. The Spartans keeper made a sprawling one handed save as he deflected the ball out of harm's way to preserve the early scoreless match.  
 

Case Western earned their first golden chance in the 14th minute. Off of a throw in, in the Bears defensive third, the Spartans sent in a dangerous cross. The cross found the foot of a CWRU attacker, and the shot sailed just over the top of the frame to keep the match even at 0-0. 
 

Picking up where he left off on Friday, Culver put the Bears on the board in the 34th minute. Culver snagged the ball about 25-yards out from the net and sent a shot on a line that found the top right corner of the net. The Spartans keeper dove for the shot, but the ball whizzed past his outstretched arms to give WashU the first half lead, 1-0. 
 

With a minute left in the half, WashU was able to generate heavy pressure in the Spartans' zone but could not add to their cushion.  
 

The Bears took the 1-0 advantage into the break. After the first 45, WashU registered three shots (all on frame), while the Spartans were credited with two shots (none on frame). The Bears secured four corner kicks chances, compared to CWRU's one. 
 

In the second 45, WashU manufactured a chance in the 57th minute. Alwang was on the receiving end of a through ball and secured possession on the left side of the pitch. After taking a few dribbles, Alwang launched a shot from near the 18-yard box that just sailed wide right. The Bears maintained their 1-0 lead after the scoring chance. 
 

The Spartans recorded their first shot of the second half in the 76th minute. L'Hommedieu was there to scoop up the chance and to preserve WashU's 1-0 cushion. 
 

In the 82nd minute, CWRU sent in a cross that found a Spartans attacker. After the ball bounced around, the loose ball was touched by Case Western. The shot was inches away from proving to be the equalizer, but a last second diving save by L'Hommedieu kept WashU's lead. L'Hommedieu was able to misdirect the shot as the Bears defense cleared the ball up the field. 
 

L'Hommedieu and the Bears backline were able to withstand the late offensive surge from the Spartans to earn the program's second win in three days with a final score of 1-0. 
 

The Bears will return home for their final three matches of the regular season. WashU will host Greenville University, in their non-conference finale, Wednesday, October 25. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Francis Olympic Field.