The news broke this week that John Carroll, for the first time in program history, was ranked in the top ten of not one but two national polls. The United Soccer Coaches had the Blue Streaks tagged as the #7 ranked team in Division III, while d3soccer.com placed JCU in the ninth spot.

Carrying the weight of those lofty heights in the ratings, John Carroll hit the road Wednesday night to face neighborhood archrival Case Western Reserve University. In an evenly fought battle. JCU prevailed by a 1-0 score.

The victory moved John Carroll to 5-0 for the first time since the magical 2000 season in which the Blue Streaks started out with eight consecutive wins and qualified for their first NCAA Division III Tournament.

The lone score came via the penalty kick, which Jesse Marinaro converted in the 37th minute.

John Carroll won the shots battle, 16-13, which included a decisive 9-4 advantage over the final 45 minutes.

Liam McIntosh made five saves to back up a defense that produced its fourth shutout in five matches.

The Blue Streaks have outscored its first five opponents, 9-1, have a 92-42 margin in shots taken and have taken 41 corners as opposed to only 15 by the opposition.

JCU will host perennial power Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m.