The Emory University men’s soccer team, ranked 14^th in the Nation, capped off their perfect regular season at home with a 2-0 victory over University Athletic Association (UAA) rival Case Western Reserve University during ‘Senior Day’ on Sunday.

The Eagles broke through in the first half, as Andrew Natalino scored his team-best 11^th goal of the campaign off an assist from sophomore Charlie Donahue, the first of his career.  Donahue was able to evade a defender and make a crossing pass to Natalino, who shot the ball past the Case goalkeeper to put Emory on top 1-0. 

The goal was the fifth game-winning goal of the season for Natalino, also a team best.  The five game-winning goals tie the sophomore for the third-most in a single season school history, placing him just two behind the record former Eagles Patrick Carver (2007) and Dennis Jerkunica (1992).  Natalino also leads all Emory players with 26 points this season.

The Eagles extended their lead in the second half as Kamron Zia scored his fifth goal of the season in the 76^th minute to secure the victory.  Zia was helped out by passes from Christopher Howie and Donahue, setting up the breakaway goal for Zia.

Emory goalkeeper Trenton Spindler matched his season high with nine saves to record his eighth shutout of the season, one short of the school’s single season record, set by Larry Meyer in 1986.  With one regular season game remaining, Emory’s defense matched a team single-season record with its 13^th shutout of the campaign.

The Eagles finished the regular season with a perfect 10-0-0 record at home, marking just the fourth undefeated and untied regular season in the program’s history.  The 10 home wins match a program best as well, set in 2008.

With the win, Emory improved to 14-1-2 this season.  The Eagles also raised their UAA record to 3-1-2, and remain in contention for the UAA Championship with one conference game left this season.  After Washington University (Mo.) and New York University played to a scoreless tie earlier in the day, the Eagles currently sit tied for second with Washington with 11 points apiece, while NYU is in first with 12 points.  All UAA teams will play their final games next Saturday, except for Emory and Carnegie Mellon which will play on Sunday.

Case dropped to 10-5-3 overall and to 3-3-0 in conference play with the loss.

The game was also the final regular season home contest for five of Emory’s senior players – Jake Graetz, Christopher Howie, Nathan McKeever, Michael Scannapieco and Adam Waxman.  The five were honored before the game during the team’s annual ‘Senior Day’ ceremonies.

Emory will wrap up its regular season next weekend, traveling to Pittsburgh, PA to face Carnegie Mellon University on Sunday at 1:30 PM.