Although covered in snow, the center stage was the spot for the experienced stars to shine under the University Heights sky on Friday night.

Seniors Jesse Marinaro, Dalton Browsky and Jacob Lombardo netted a trio of goals, boosting the John Carroll University men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Ohio Wesleyan University in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament from Don Shula Stadium at Wasmer Field. 

The Blue Streaks would not let the icy conditions slow them down, as they rattled off 19 shots, seven shots on goal and assisted on all three of their scores.

JCU found its first opportunity in the 11th minute, when the ball seeped through the defense, past the line of defenders in the middle of the field and toward the waiting leg of Marinaro, who missed on a blocked shot.

Moments later, the scoring barrier was broken. With the opposition spotlighting its coverage on Marinaro, the Blue Streaks pieced together a scoring possession on a cross pass from Marinaro, a deflected shot from Lombardo and an arching touch-shot from Browsky into the back of the net amid the 17th minute. The pass-to-pass sequence was executed to perfection, with Browsky following the path of the ball and redirecting it over the head of goalkeeper Mike Heeschen

Ohio Wesleyan answered the call in the 27th minute, using a ricochet off the Blue and Gold to provide Drew Wivell with an open lane to a shot on goal. His low-lining kick evaded the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Liam McIntosh.

Marinaro fired another shot into a leaping defender before drawing a penalty in transition, earning him a penalty kick with only Heeschen separating him from a 2-1 lead. Under control, the senior out of Brunswick calmly laced the ball through the right side of the goal, fooling his defender who dove in the opposite direction.

The early stages of the second half were defined by defense, as the Battling Bishops took a yellow card, but neither program notched more than one shot on goal in the first 15 minutes.

Another breakaway drive paved the way to an insurmountable advantage. Marinaro pulled the ball out of a cluster of players at midfield, advancing to Lombardo with only one man to beat. His diagonal attempt cleared Heeschen once more, giving John Carroll a two-goal cushion with 25 minutes remaining.

McIntosh tallied three second-half saves, while the unit comprised of Tristan Lyles, Eric Rozsits, Jared Vidika and William Turritin kept the Battling Bishops in check on the defensive side of the ball – fending off nine total shots – for the final moments of the contest.

Th victory was John Carroll's first in NCAA postseason play since a 1-0 win in the first round of the 2007 Division III Tournament. JCU is now 5-5-1 all-time in NCAA Championship play.

The Blue Streaks will play the winner from the latter half of the doubleheader between the Thomas More College Saints (14-4-2) and the Calvin College Knights (19-0-1) on Saturday night at 7 p.m. from Don Shula Stadium.