A goal in the 89th minute by Joe Ciacchi gave the John Carroll men's soccer team a 2-1 victory over host Denison Wednesday night in Granville, Ohio, in the season opening match for both teams.

Box Score

JCU opened 2009 with a six goal win over Malone, but Denison represented a step up in competition. Coming off their first North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament title and first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2006, the Big Red returned 14 letterwinners, including seven starters. 

The Blue Streaks entered 2010 as more of an unknown commodity, especially after an injury plagued 2009 campaign. Playing a veteran team with postseason experience on the road would provide a measuring stick opportunity for John Carroll.

Denison would strike first in an evenly played opening half. Lenny Mills fed Chris Olson in the 30th minute, and the Bid Red junior put a shot in the net. JCU was outshot in the first 45 minutes by an 8-6 margin.

The second half would be dominated by the visiting Streaks, who pepped 16 shots at Big Red keeper Matt Wagner. But it would take a fortunate rebound for JCU to knot the score.

After John Carroll's Corey Rider was tackled in the box, Wagner saved the initial penalty shot taken by Jeff Kosek in the 64th minute. Kosek was able to retrieve the rebound, and beat Wagner on the second attempt.

The Blue Streaks kept the pressure on, and would break the deadlock in the final minutes. Rider sent a cross to Ciacchi's right foot, who deposited his sixth career goal into the net.

Carl Contrascier made five saves for his first win as a JCU goalkeeper.