CLEVELAND, Ohio – Melanie Kukura fired a laser from at least 25 yards to the top-right corner of the net and lifted Case Western Reserve University to a 2-1 win over Kenyon College on Tuesday night in a non-conference match. The Spartans' defense made the evening tough on the Ladies' offense as they attempted just two shots in the loss.
 
First-half action saw Kenyon get just one shot on goal, but they made it count in the 13th minute. After a Case foul in the box, senior standout Maggie Smith hit a penalty kick to give the visitors from Gambier an early 1-0 lead. It was her team-leading fifth goal of the year which ranks among the best totals in the country early this season.
 
That score remained the same for the remainder of the half despite the Spartans putting pressure on freshman goalie Maria Paparella. CWRU had three good looks after Smith's score including one hitting the crossbar and two others which were saved by Kenyon's goalie but nothing came through.
 
Early in the second half, the Spartans were able to find the equalizer with a penalty kick of their own. Seven minutes into the period, a Kenyon foul resulted in a penalty kick for Amy Lindberg who got it past freshman Jillian Countey.
 
Kenyon was called for six more fouls in the match (11-5) than Case.
 
With the score tied at 1, Camila Kirtzman tried to give the Ladies the lead back but her on-goal attempt in the 68th minute was denied by Case's Sarah Newcomb. That was the last shot of the match for Kenyon.
 
The 1-1 tie was finally broke with 1:01 on the clock on Kukura's game-winner.
 
Next up for Kenyon are two matches this weekend starting September 10 against Salisbury University. That will be followed up on September 11 against Carleton College. Both matches will begin at noon at Mavec Field.