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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
JCU Women's Soccer team photo OAC champs!
Jose Figueroa
The Blue Streaks made more magic at Don Shula Stadium and punched a ticket to the NCAA Tournament. 
1
Ohio Northern ONU (10-9-1, 7-2-0)
2
Winner John Carroll JCU (13-1-5, 8-0-1)
Ohio Northern ONU
(10-9-1, 7-2-0)
1
Final
2
John Carroll JCU
(13-1-5, 8-0-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Ohio Northern ONU 1 0 1
John Carroll JCU 0 2 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Leah Harrigan, Senior Staff Writer

Women's Soccer Triumphs Over ONU for 1st OAC Tournament Championship Since 2001

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- The John Carroll Blue Streaks showed that embracing challenges and trusting the process leads to victory, as the JCU Women's Soccer team claimed its first Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championship since 2001. 

In a narrow fashion, John Carroll came out victorious with a 2-1 win over Ohio Northern, notching the program's second OAC tournament title. 

The win put the Blue Streaks at a season record of 13-1-5 with an impressive 8-0-1 conference record. More importantly, the victory clinches the program's second-ever berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. 

"A lot of things have to go right to be successful," said Head Coach Michael Marich following the win. "And after we won the regular season trophy, things just kept going in that direction."

The first half of play was marked by constant changes of possessions, with both teams finding chances at the net. Madeline Martin Kosier stood strong as the Blue Streaks' final line of defense, directing traffic and communicating amongst her defenders.

But, although the Polar Bears saw most of their opportunities in dead ball situations, a tricky collection of touches into some green space would ultimately lead to a rocket of a shot from Alexa Clampitt. The junior forward fired the ball from beyond the 20-yard line, giving Ohio Northern the first goal of the match in the 24th minute.

In an effort to throw off Ohio Northern's strategy, the Blue Streaks opted for a change in lineup to close out the first half. The group of three substitutes brought new energy to the game, working to tire out Ohio Northern's back line. A courageously drawn foul by Emma West gave John Carroll a chance at net from the top of the box, but Emily Patrzyk floated the ball just a few inches above the crossbar. 

Nonetheless, the Blue Streaks fought for possessions and connected passes in the final third. But at the halfway point, the score stood unchanged, the Polar Bears leading the Blue Streaks 1-0.

"The grit and the fight from the team was phenomenal," said Marich. "We've scored a goal every game so far this year and I told them at halftime that we have to do it again to be in this game and we took care of it."

And so the second half featured some early opportunities for the Blue Streaks. 

Within the first ten minutes, Abby Smith found herself face to face with Morgan Moeller inside the six, but Moeller confronted the opportunity with strength, preventing Smith from scoring. 

Moeller's deflection landed at Alli Malinky's feet, so the sophomore midfielder opted to launch a shot outside the 18, but it grazed the crossbar, leaving John Carroll to revisit the drawing board. The Blue Streaks remained persistent, fighting for 50/50 balls and heading into challenges with full steam.

The amplified atmosphere was just what John Carroll needed to regain some necessary confidence. In the 73rd minute, Malinky dished it to West who launched a shot to the lower right corner of the net, skipping it past Moeller to make it an even 1-1. West's equalizer gave the Blue Streaks some fire that remained as the half progressed.

"I just remember hitting it and seeing it go in," said West. "Just taking a chance, it felt great."

West's goal proved to be the catalyst for change in momentum for this game. Evening the score put John Carroll on equal playing field with the Polar Bears, one step closer to victory.

"I mean it (the goal) got us here, it gave us a chance to win it and the rest of the team stepped up and finished in the end," said West.

The last 25 minutes of play consisted of aggressive tackles, nail-biting chances and relentless play from both squads. With under four minutes to go, the hustle paid off for the Blue and Gold. 

Off a throw-in from Sara Gennuso, Madyson Rosado found the ball at her feet and sent a low shot into the right side of the net, giving John Carroll a 2-1 lead. It was a beautiful shot, and magical as soon as it left Rosado's foot. 

"We came out and started to play our game of soccer and it created some chances," said Marich. "Again, Ohio Northern was tough, organized and didn't give up many goals all year long, so for us to break through and be able to come back was huge."

With just minutes remaining, the intensity was too much for the Polar Bears to overcome in such a short window of time. 

John Carroll would hold onto the one-goal lead for the final three minutes of the game, securing their first OAC tournament title since 2001 and just second ever. After a series of building years with highs and lows for John Carroll, the ultimate triumph is finally within the Blue Streaks' grasp. 

The Blue Streaks also complete the regular season and OAC Tournament with a sparkling home record. John Carroll stands at a perfect 10-0-1 within the friendly confines of Don Shula Stadium. 

John Carroll waits for their next opponent for the NCAA tournament, to be announced on Monday, Nov. 6 at 1:30 pm. 
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