The John Carroll University men's soccer team was hoping the fourth time would be the charm. The venue was different. The opponent was different.
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Playing in its fourth-straight OAC Tournament championship match John Carroll was in search of its first tournament championship since 2007.
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Down 5-2, John Carroll made things interesting in the final five minutes.
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Dalton Browsky scored his seventh goal of the season in the 86th minute off of a feed from
Jacob Lombardo to make it a two-goal game.
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JCU made it a one-goal affair in the 88th minute.
Jimmy Mattina put in a head off of a corner kick from
Brian Potocnik.
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In the end, John Carroll (17-4) could not finish off the comeback and fell 5-4 to Heidelberg (13-6-3) on Saturday night inside Don Shula Stadium. The Student Princes claimed their first-ever OAC Tournament championship.
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John Carroll struck first in the 10th minute with
Kevin Pachuta breaking through for his seventh goal of the season. The play was set up by Mattina.
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The lead would not hold as Heidelberg would strike back with three goals in a five-minute stretch.
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The Student Princes' Ryan Homoki scored the equalizer in the 26th minute with Hamid Shariff putting Heidelberg up 2-1 in the 28th minute. The third came off a penalty kick by Kyle Simpson in the 31st minute.
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Heidelberg made it five unanswered goals in the second half. Kurt Wilhelm scored in the 68th minute to make it a 4-1 game.
Derek Jenkins was unable to secure the ball after turning away a Garrett McAfee shot in the 70th minute leading to Shariff putting in the rebound for his second goal of the night.
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Lombardo netted his fifth goal of the year in the 71st minute to make it a three-goal game. The answer came 47 seconds after Heidelberg scored its fifth goal of the night.
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John Carroll had a prime opportunity in the 42nd minute but could not put the shot in despite four consecutive chances.
Jared Vidika starting a barrage of four consecutive shots clanging his attempt off of the post. Mattina picked up the rebound but his shot was turned away by a Heidelberg defender.
Trent Guy tried his luck with his shot being blocked.
Jesse Marinaro had an open opportunity banging his attempt off of the post.
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The Blue Streaks finished with a 20-15 edge on shots and a 12-5 edge on corner kicks.
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The Blue Streaks, ranked 15th nationally and second regionally entering the week, now await if their season will continue. In search for an at-large bid John Carroll will find out if it makes the NCAA Tournament on Monday, Nov. 10. Men's soccer selections will be announced at 1:30 p.m.
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