Wilmington College’s men’s soccer team lost its final non-conference match 1-0 to visiting Case Western Reserve University Saturday evening but came away knowing they played toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the region.

“Case is as good a team as we’ve seen this year and we’ve played some good teams,” said WC coach Bud Lewis.

The now 8-1 CWRU squad took a lead at the 20:58 mark in the first period when Matthew Zembes placed an assist from Michael Balog past the Fightin’s Quakers goalkeeper Nick Baker (Indianapolis, IN/Decatur Central), who started his first game in a Wilmington College uniform.

Technically proficient Case Western knocked on the door repeatedly but the Quakers back line of Nils Asteberg (Ojersjo, Sweden/Porthalla Gymnasium), Jason Altmeyer (Bethel, OH/Bethel Tate) and Jesse Buhrman (Westlake, OH/ Westlake) and keeper Baker helped stave off 11 other shots on goal.

“Nick really kept us in the game,” Lewis said. “He had four or five saves in the first half that were exceptional.”

Case pelted Baker with 22 shots.

Wilmington’s assaults on CWRU’s goal were few in number and, ultimately, ineffective as far as goals, but the Quakers at times moved the ball through Case’s stingy defense well enough to get some looks at potential paydirt, especially in the final 45 minutes.

“Our energy was good in the second half, but it was very hard to get behind Case,” Lewis said. “I feel our effort tonight should give us confidence and momentum going into the Ohio Athletic Conference schedule next week.”

The Quakers take a 3-7 September record into conference play Saturday but the young team has made significant strides in the five weeks its been together.

“Whether you are 10-0 or 1-10 in the non-conference schedule, everybody’s OAC record right now is 0-0. We have to show how we’ve progressed and that starts with Marietta,” Lewis said.