For the first time since 2002, the John Carroll women's soccer team has gone through its first four Ohio Athletic Conference matches without tasting defeat.
The latest sweet victory occurred Tuesday night in Berea as the Blue Streaks blanked Baldwin Wallace, 1-0. John Carroll has posted shutouts in four consecutive conference matches, marking its longest stretch of clean sheets since the 2013 season, where the Blue Streaks shutout seven OAC opponents in a row en route to a share of the league title.
The 3-0-1 start to league play is John Carroll's best since 2002, when the Blue Streaks started out 4-0 and eventually claimed a share of the OAC regular season crown.
The Blue Streaks defensive has been spectacular all season long, pitching six shutouts and allowing only eight goals in 12 outings. Led by juniors
Alyssa Simon,
Lexie Keller, sophomore
Taylor Newhart, and freshman
Hannah Brinning, the trend continued against crosstown rival Baldwin Wallace.
In a back and forth first half, chances opened up for both sides, but neither could capitalize.
Bailey Fischer nearly found the back of the net on a free kick in the 29th minute, shooting wide right of the goal.
Jaclyn Audino and Fischer each attempted one more shot in the final minutes of the half, but they were not enough to get past Emma Bruno.
At the half, John Carroll and Baldwin Wallace were deadlocked at 0-0. JCU outshot BW 11-7 in the half, attempting three corner kicks compared to the Yellow Jackets one.
The second half would be in favor of the Blue and Gold early, as senior
Katie O'Donnell netted the first goal of the game in the 52nd minute. It was her third goal of the season, which would prove to be enough as BW could not get past the stout defense of JCU.
Rhianna Guarnera recorded five saves in the victory.
John Carroll has not lost to Baldwin Wallace since 2006, going 8-0-4 during the stretch.
The Blue Streaks are the only team in the entire Ohio Athletic Conference to not allow a goal during conference play. JCU has not conceded a goal, since Sept. 27 against Case Western Reserve University, and has not lost since a 1-0 overtime setback on the road at Kenyon on September 20.
All those remarkable streaks will be challenged in the next match as a tough test awaits the Blue and Gold Friday night, October 13. John Carroll will travel to Ada, Ohio, and challenge the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern, who currently are ranked 19th in the nation and are 11-1-1 overall and 4-0 (1st place) in the OAC. The battle of the top two teams in the conference standings is set for 7 p.m.
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