On a chilly night in University Heights, Ohio, a conference matchup against the men's soccer teams of John Carroll University and Baldwin Wallace would be a hot one.
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Just 1:41 into extra time, Blue Streaks senior
Brian Lutz lit the night on fire with a game-winning goal. The Blue and Gold extended their winning streak to four games, improving to 6-1-1 on their home turf at Don Shula Stadium.
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"Anytime we can beat our cross town rivals it is a big win. It was a great game. Baldwin Wallace gave us everything we had. We are very fortunate we left with a win," said head coach
Hector Marinaro in a postgame interview.
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The Yellow Jackets stung first with a goal coming from junior Danny Ruple in the 17th minute. Ruple's goal was his 13th of the season, which leads the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC).
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It took the Blue Streaks nearly 25 minutes to answer, as freshman Mike Burrington netted his fourth score of the season. Junior
Justin Brown and senior
Eric Rozsits assisted on the goal that tied the game.
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At the break, the scoreboard read 1-1. JCU outshot BW 13-4 in the opening half, with reigning OAC Defensive Player of the Week
Liam McIntosh totaling one save.
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With just 6:37 into the second half, the OAC Offensive Player of the Week
Jarrod McDowell gave the Blue and Gold the 2-1 advantage. Sophomore
William Turrittin made the assist.
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Baldwin Wallace refused to let up, as Ruple scored his second of the night in the 81st minute tying the game at two goals a piece.
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Regulation time would not be enough, as the Yellow Jackets and Blue Streaks carried the game over into overtime.
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That is when Lutz found the back of the net, with his fifth goal of the season. The Blue and Gold stung the Yellow Jackets with a 3-2 win in overtime.
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Lutz said after the game that the goal was a quick one. "We were pressuring them well, I stepped up. I had lots of space in front of me and it was just instinct. I took my shot and luckily it went in."
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The Blue Streaks move to 9-4-1 overall on the season and improve to 5-1-0 in the OAC with their win over Baldwin Wallace.
Next on the schedule is the Pioneers of Marietta on Saturday, October 20 for the JCU's seventh game of conference play.
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