American forward Conor Casey got his first league start since joining Hannover 96 in October as the German Second Division leader downed LR Ahlen, 3-1, on Monday. Compatriot Steve Cherundolo, sidelined with a hip injury, missed the match. Cherundolo has played the full 90 minutes of 22 of Hannover’s 24 games this season. Casey’s previous eight appearances came as a second-half substitute. He has two goals, but on Monday, Daniel Stendel scored all three Hannover goals. With 10 games left in the season, Hannover has a nine-point cushion — and a game in hand — between itself and the fourth-place team. The top three finishers are promoted to the First Division. = Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, D2) vs. LR Ahlen (3-1) DNP — hip injury. = Conor Casey (Hannover 96, D2) vs. LR Ahlen (3-1) Started: 90 minutes.