Time will tell if the nine days spent in Canada by the John Carroll University men's soccer will pay dividends on the field for the 2016 campaign.

At the very least, the memories accrued will last long after the season is completed.

From August 9 until August 18, JCU head coach Hector Marinaro, assistant coach Dejan Mladenovic and 25 Blue Streaks players ventured north across the U.S.-Canadian border to play three matches as well as take in the sights and sounds of Toronto and the surrounding area.

"I could not have asked for a better start to the season," said senior Tim Delaney. "Traveling to Canada with the team was a great experience both on and off the field. Awesome memories were made with the team and I can't wait to make more this fall."

The trip is the brainchild of Marinaro, who is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, which is a city directly west of Toronto along the shores of Lake Ontario. 

"We got a lot of work in and got a head start on preparing for our trip to Boston on Labor Day weekend," said Marinaro. "The players put in a great amount of effort and the highlight of our trip was definitely watching Toronto FC train."

Many of the players pointed to that experience as a highlight as well.

"The trip to Canada was an amazing experience both individually and as a team by getting a good jump start on the upcoming season and building team chemistry," said sophomore Brian Lutz. "Being able to watch a live Toronto FC training amazed us all and challenged us to increase our intensity and speed of play in everything we do for better success on the field."

The Blue Streaks went undefeated in their three competitive matches, scoring victories against Ontario Institute of Technology (1-0) and Vaughan Soccer Club (2-1) before concluding the trip with a draw against the defending Canadian national champions, York University (2-2).

Off the field, the John Carroll traveling party toured downtown Toronto, visited Canada's Wonderland Amusement Park, and had the opportunity to meet Toronto FC members Michael Bradley (captain of the United States Men's National Team) and Copley Ohio native Josh Williams.

"Having the opportunity to train and experience Canada with the team was exactly what we needed to kick off this fall season," said junior Dalton Browsky. "This was definitely a trip that I will remember for the rest of my life and I hope the trip continues in the coming years."