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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Champs
Owen Gerba
The Blue Streaks earned the program's fifth straight OAC Tournament Championship at Don Shula Stadium. 
1
Wilmington (OH) WILM (10-7-3, 5-2-2)
4
Winner John Carroll JCU (15-4-1, 8-1-0)
Wilmington (OH) WILM
(10-7-3, 5-2-2)
1
Final
4
John Carroll JCU
(15-4-1, 8-1-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wilmington (OH) WILM 1 0 1
John Carroll JCU 2 2 4

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Men's Soccer Conquers Quakers to Earn 5th Straight OAC Tourney Title

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – After not winning the Ohio Athletic Conference regular season title, John Carroll Men's Soccer was hungry to win the cup tonight.

The Blue Streaks left no doubt in a dominant 4-1 victory over Wilmington in the OAC Tournament Championship. 

With the victory, the Blue Streaks secured the team's fifth straight OAC Tournament Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

"This means the world," said Foht. "We wanted the regular season trophy, but to get the trophy in the tournament means a lot. We've been saying it, but the job is not finished. We'll be happy tonight, but we want to continue our season."

The Blue Streaks did not take long to rev up the offense in the first half.

In the 10th minute, Logan Penton took a ball up the left sideline and beat a man. The sophomore midfielder worked up the line before absolutely rocketing a right-footed shot top right corner on an absolutely marvelous shot.

The Vermillion native's goal in the 10th minute was simply a magical thing of beauty. And it gave the Blue Streaks the early, much-needed lead for fans that were perhaps weary after Thursday's heart-pounding OAC Semifinal. 

"I had a slow start to the season with goals. I didn't know what my role was going to be," said Penton. "Coach told me that big players show up in big games. To get the goal was great, but it wouldn't be possible without my teammates. This team is special because we have a mix of new guys and veterans. The guys returning showed the JCU way and how to be Men of Carroll. This is a good group of guys."

And the Blue Streaks did not stop there.

After pressuring the Quakers for a bit, John Carroll caught Wilmington napping on a throw-in. Nicholas Ruggiero tossed a lengthy throw-in to Ben Brucken on the right side. The junior from Copley dashed ahead, won the ball and flicked it past the keeper into the left side of the net.

Brucken's second goal of the season provided great insurance, especially for the crowd at Don Shula Stadium. 

"Rugg had a good throw-in to me, and the ball came down to me. It felt good. It felt really good," said Brucken.

The Blue Streaks did not relent on the offensive end, keeping up the pressure. Foht fired a shot high in the 26th minute, Ruggiero placed a shot on goal in the 30th minute, Felician missed high in the 34th minute, and Felician hit the post in the 43rd minute.

But it was Wilmington, on the visitors' first shot on goal of the match, that struck next.

The Fightin' Quakers sent a ball from the right side and for the fourth time in five games, Nick In'tzand found the back of the net. The Switzerland native fired a shot in that deflected off the keeper's outstretched, diving hands and into the back of the net.

So, just 1:11 before halftime, the Fightin' Quakers were right back in it, trailing just 2-1 at the halftime break. The Blue Streaks dominated in shots overall, 12-2, and 4-1 in shots on goal. 

Wilmington continued the momentum in the opening minutes of the half. The Quakers tabbed a few shots in the first 10 minutes. However, despite the momentum pointing to perhaps an equalizer in the making, the Blue Streaks struck next.

An errant Wilmington pass found a perfectly positioned Patrick Koenig in the Wilmington third. The Illinois native dribbled it up himself and fired a shot low left side to beat the diving keeper. 

Plenty of time remained, but the Blue Streaks were feeling great with a 3-1 lead with 35 minutes to play. 

In the 71st minute, the Blue Streaks just about finished things off. Nicholas Graeca took a free kick and immediately passed the ball to Nicholas Felician. The senior slotted it immediately to the left to Jack Foht. The Erie native did the rest, taking a couple touched before sneaking the ball past the keeper.

And just like that, the Blue Streaks enjoyed a 4-1 lead and it was a matter of time before the celebration could begin.

"Someone got fouled just outside the box on the left hand side. Graeca played it to Felician, he pulled about two defenders in, and I was wide open on the left," said Foht. "A defender closed on me, I made a couple moves, went to my left, and hammered it home."

Mind you, the Quakers did not stop fighting. Wilmington sent the kitchen sink at the Blue Streaks, hoping to make it a game still. But the Quakers could not comeback. 

"This culture is unlike anything else," said Brucken. "I've played on a lot of teams and at another college, and nothing matches this. The culture is key to our success." 

The Blue Streaks have now won 11 OAC Tourney championships in program history. 

John Carroll will be making the program's 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. On Monday at 1:30 pm, John Carroll will find out its placement in the tournament. The Blue Streaks hope to host the opening two rounds next weekend. 
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