After a hard fought match, the John Carroll Men's Soccer Team was defeated in overtime by Case Western Reserve University Wednesday night at Don Shula Stadium by a final score of 2-1.

John Carroll moves to an overall record of 2-3 on the season while Case Western Reserve improves to 4-1.

Case Western started the match strong on the offensive attempting four shots in the opening fifteen minutes of play, but the tide began to turn midway through the period. Brian Lutz nearly netted the first goal for John Carroll in the 36th minute with a strong effort from the left wing, but Charlie Fink of Case Western was there to make the save.

After an evenly fought opening half, the match remained scoreless at halftime.  Case Western's offense recorded six shots to John Carroll's five. Tommy Gallina had two first half saves for the Blue Streaks.

JCU used the element of surprise to break the deadlock. Just 11 seconds into the second half, Chad Kanakkanatt had a quick takeaway on a slow pass off the opening kick and knifed through the Spartan defense to score the first goal of the game. This marks Kanakkanatt's first goal of his senior campaign.

Case Western became more aggressive after surrendering the goal, and its pressure paid off. In the 79th minute of the game, Peter Dernelle found the back of the net with an assist from Garrett Winter to make the score an even 1-1. That score would carry to the end of regulation.  

CWRU outshot John Carroll, 10-5, in the second half.  

The Spartans would secure the victory three minutes into the overtime period, seizing upon a turnover at midfield to set up the winning combination. Marques Manta sent a pass through a retreating JCU defense that found Seldon Magruder open on the right side, where he sent a low shot past Gallina for the game winner.

Tonight's defeat was only the Blue Streaks' seventh home loss since the start of the 2012 campaign. CWRU is responsible for two of those marks in the loss column, in 2016 and tonight. It was also JCU's first home loss in the regular season since September 25, 2016, vs Carnegie Mellon.

The Blue Streaks are on the road this Saturday, September 15th as they take on #24 ranked Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio at 7 pm.