Box Score
On a dreary November day filled with torrential downpours, heavy winds, and for a period of an hour a fire hazard, the John Carroll University and Wilmington College men's soccer teams battled for a zero-zero tie in overtime at Don Shula Stadium.

It was meant to a celebratory occasion for the host Blue Streaks on Senior Day, signaling the final regular season game of the 2013 season. The Blue Streaks came into the game having not lost to the Quakers since 2004, marking a 10-game unbeaten span against Wilmington.

While the Blue and Gold couldn't defeat the Quakers at home, they did manage to keep their unbeaten streak alive against Wilmington.

That was hardly the goal, however.

The tie would cost John Caroll a share of the Ohio Athletic Conference regular season title. The Blue Streaks finished the regular season in sole possession of second place at 7-1-1 in league play. Ohio Northern, at 8-1, won the title outright.

Slick conditions and less than ideal weather put the brakes on JCU's potent offense. Today's match marked the first all season in which John Carroll was unable score a single goal.

The defense, meanwhile, pitched its ninth shutout of the year.

"We have to stay together as a team," said keeper Zach Fehrenbach, who played a large yet unexpected role in the match. "We had the odds against us, playing a man down, we still competed and had chances to win. If we just stay together, always stay positive and keep working hard, we'll be fine in the OAC's."

Both teams went into halftime without either side having established much dominance
over the other. But John Carroll came out blazing in the opening 14 minutes of the second period intent and breaking the deadlock.

Then, with just under 31 minutes left in the half, a fire alarm sounded at Don Shula Stadium, and caused a 45-minute delay in the game. Spectators, players, coaches and referees alike were all advised to leave the stadium as the University Heights Fire Department tended to the matter.

While there ultimately was no major situation, the delay certainly wasn't easy on the players, who were already beaten down from the rain and wind.

"It really killed the momentum in the second half," said junior Brian Potocnik, who leads the team with 12 goals this season. "We came out strong and we were really looking to get that goal, and obviously the momentum was taken away from us."

Despite the Blue and Gold outshooting the Quakers 25-14 on the day, it was a penalty kick save by Fehrenbach in the game's defining moment that did as much to preserve the tie as anything else.

When starting keeper Chris Garbinsky was given a red card for an illegal tackle in the box just inside 20 minutes left in regulation, John Carroll was faced not only with the prospect of playing a man down but putting in a cold keeper to stop the shot.

Fehrenbach lunged to his right to stop the kick of Daniel Wickes, and then Wickes missed the put back attempt high.

With the tie against Wilmington, the Blue Streaks finished the 2013 regular season with a 14-3-1 overall record.

John Carroll is scheduled to host an OAC Tournament semifinal round game on Wednesday, November 6, against an opponent to be determined.