Junior captain Andrea Witte's goal in the 50th minute powered the Big Red women's soccer team to 1-0 Senior Day victory over 21st-ranked Case Western Reserve on Saturday afternoon at Barclay-Thomsen Field.

The officials made a statement early in the contest that they were going to let the players decide the winner of Saturday's contest. In the opening 45 minutes of play, the refs called just one infraction. The Spartans outshot the Big Red in the first frame, 7-2. Three of Case's seven attempts required a save by DU goalie Jenny Herold. Herold's counterpart, Abbey Smith, was also active as she intercepted multiple crossing attempts by Denison.

The Big Red finally broke through for the game's first goal just over five minutes into the second period. Senior captain Maddy Regan had a golden opportunity when she settled a through ball at the top of the 18-yard box. When Regan turned the goal she was face-to-face with Smith. The senior tried to rip a shot past the keeper, but Smith was able to deflect the shot away from the goal.

The Case Western defense tried to get the ball out of danger, but their attempt found its way to Witte who blasted a shot into the empty net from just outside the box. The goals was her team-high tying six of the season.

The Witte goal proved to be a spark plug for the DU offense as they went on to outshoot the Spartans 9-3 over the final 40 minutes of play. Two of CWRU's final three shots required Herold to corral the ball. Regan almost netted an insurance goal in the 87th minute off another failed clear attempt. However, the shot struck the crossbar and bounced back into the field of play.

Regan paced Denison with five of the team's 14 shots, while fellow captains Witte and Anne Denz each had three attempts. Herold made five stops en route to her sixth shutout of the season.

Alexa Williams unloaded three shots to lead the Spartan charge, while Pauline Van Dijck added two. Smith finished the night with two saves in 90 minutes between the pipes.

The Big Red moves to 11-5 with the win, while the loss drops Case Western Reserve to 8-4-3. Denison will play its final home match on Tuesday (Oct. 28) against Oberlin. Match time is scheduled for 6 p.m.