CWRU fall sports preview

Case Western Reserve University’s varsity sports, which participate in NCAA Division III, will begin their 2017-18 season in earnest this weekend with all six fall teams in action, including home contests for men’s and women’s soccer and cross country.  Make sure to go to athletics.case.edu, the official site of CWRU athletics, for complete schedules, game previews and recaps, statistics and more on the Spartans.

Football

The Case Western Reserve University football team finished the 2016 season with a 9-1 record, winning a share of the University Athletic Association title with a 2-1 conference ledger. The team also finished second in the Presidents' Athletic Conference with a 7-1 mark. Now, with 60 players slated to return from last year's team, including 21 starters and a large senior class, the Spartans are primed for another strong season in 2017. Senior quarterback Rob Cuda, the reigning UAA Offensive Most Valuable Player, will aim for another standout campaign for the Spartans. For a full preview, visit athletics.case.edu/sports/fball/2017-18/releases/20170801i548o3.

Volleyball

Returning the majority of the 2016 team, the Case Western Reserve University volleyball team has set high expectations for the 2017 season. Guided by 16^th-year Head Coach Karen Farrell, the Spartans have posted 20 victories in seven of the last nine seasons. Last season, the team finished the tear with a 21-10 overall record, while posting a 2-5 mark in the University Athletic Association and finishing in sixth place at the UAA Championships. Leading the Spartans will be senior and team captain Emma Briggs, along with sophomore and 2016 UAA Rookie of the Year Haley Sims. For a full preview, visit athletics.case.edu/sports/wvball/2017-18/releases/20170828j8q6f8.

Men’s Cross Country

Senior and 2016 All-American Sam Merriman will lead an experienced group of 20 returners for the Spartans. The Case Western Reserve University men’s cross country team will get its 2017 season underway Friday, Sept. 1, at the Sudeck Sunset Classic Stampede in Hunting Valley, Ohio, at the Squire Valleevue Farm. Merriman placed 21^st at the 2016 NCAA Championships, becoming the eighth All-American in program history. For a full preview, visit athletics.case.edu/sports/mxc/2017-18/releases/20170829kov1kk.

Women’s Cross Country

With all seven finishers from last year’s NCAA Great Lakes Regional slated to return, a veteran squad will lead the Case Western Reserve University women’s cross country team into the 2017 campaign. The season will begin with the Sudeck Sunset Classic Stampede Friday, Sept. 1, at the Squire Valleevue Farm in Hunting Valley, Ohio. Senior Danielle Kulpins, a 2016 all-region finisher, will look to pace the Spartans during the campaign. For a full preview, visit athletics.case.edu/sports/wxc/2017-18/releases/20170829l2du86.

Men’s Soccer

The 2017 season is a new beginning for the Case Western Reserve University men's soccer team. The Spartans are returning this season with a strong group of upperclassmen and a talented recruiting class to make a statement in the University Athletic Association. Overall, 20 players and eight starters return, including All-UAA First Team goalkeeper Calvin Boyle. For a full preview, visit athletics.case.edu/sports/msoc/2017-18/releases/20170825kq7oda.

Women’s Soccer

Featuring a core of veteran returning players and an infusion of talented first-years, the Case Western Reserve University women's soccer team will aim to take a step forward during the 2017 season. Now in her 11^th season, Head Coach Tiffany Crooks' squad has plenty of experience in place with six returning regular starters and five additional players that started at least one contest in 2016. Senior captain Neha Cheemalavagu, a 2016 All-UAA First Team honoree, will look to pace a defense that yielded just 5.8 shots on goal per game last season. For a full preview, visit athletics.case.edu/sports/wsoc/2017-18/releases/20170825gzgmi1.