Box Score

Despite off and on rain showers, the absence of two long time starters, and a determined opponent, John Carroll would not be deterred from winning its final non-conference game of the 2008 regular season.

A goal at the 49:37 mark of the second half, started on a corner kick by Katie Porta and finished by Rachel Grdina, would be the lone point tallied by either side as the Blue Streaks knocked off the College of Wooster, 1-0, Tuesday night at Don Shula Stadium.

The Blue Streaks began the night playing without Caitlyn Walton and Erika Eberhardt, who sat as a precautionary measure in preparation for the upcoming league schedule which begins on Friday night for John Carroll. Walton and Eberhardt had missed a combined four career games between them prior to Wednesday.

At various points during the evening, rains ripped across Wasmer Field, making both squads cautious during the opening 45 minutes.

JCU would break the deadlock early in the second half. After Porta served up a low line drive corner kick that was knocked out of bounds over the end line, she tried a lofted ball on her second try. Her kick sailed into the heart of the box where Bridget Adams waited. She dropped the ball to Grdina who -- with her back to the goal -- flicked a shot over her right shoulder and past two defenders into the Wooster net.

For Grdina, it was the second goal of her freshman season. To see video of the winning goal, click here

In the 40 minutes that followed the goal, Wooster mounted constant pressure on the JCU defense, rifling seven shots at keeper Michelle Zrebiec but none found their mark as the Scots suffered just their second loss of 2008 against eight wins. Zrebiec finished the night with 11 saves.

John Carroll improved to 7-1-2, which is the second best start in school history behind the 1999 team that began that year 8-2.