GAMBIER, Ohio -- The Kenyon College women's soccer team fell 2-0 at home against Case Western Reserve University, the 17th-ranked team in the NCAA's Division III, as the Spartans kept Kenyon on its heels for most of the match.

The Owls faced significant Spartan pressure early as the visitors kept the ball on Kenyon's half of the pitch. Case's attack broke through in the 23rd minute after Ceci Dapino dribbled into the box and earned a penalty kick after Kenyon's Lily Mahdavian was assessed a yellow card. Case's Camryn Hartman lined up for the PK and put it past Leah Anderson to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Kenyon looked to respond and took their first shot of the game in the 24th minute as they attacked the kickoff, but the attempt sailed high. Case reclaimed the momentum and earned a pair of corners, and it was a corner kick in the 31st minute that set up the Spartans' second goal.

Aniya Hartzler played the corner into the deep right corner of the box, where Andrea Silva passed the ball to the head of Mackenzie Mueller, who recorded a goal at the 30:47 mark to put Case ahead 2-0.

The Spartans maintained control through the first 45 minutes, finishing the opening half with an 11-2 edge in shots that included seven shots on goal while holding the Owls without an on-target shot. 

The 2-0 margin lasted an additional 45 minutes as neither team got on the board in the second half. The Spartans held Kenyon to two second-half shots as they maintained possession for much of the second frame. Despite facing steady pressure, Anderson and the Owls' defense managed to hold Case scoreless on eight shots, including five on goal, and eight corner kicks.

After 90 minutes, the No. 17 Spartans compiled 19 shots to Kenyon's four while putting 12 shots on goal to the Owls' one. Case also finished with 13 corner kicks, while the Owls had none.

Kenyon defenders Mahdavian and Claudia Abram joined Anderson as the Owls to play full time, while sophomore captain Morgan Baker played 86 minutes. Senior defender Chloe Webb, also a captain, led the Owls with two shots and put one on goal.

Up next, the Owls (1-3-1) hit the road for a trip to Lexington, Kentucky to take on Transylvania University (1-1-1). The match is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Sep. 14.