One kick broke the ice.

John Carroll University and Mount Union were scoreless into the 49th minute of play. Then, a penalty kick by Jaclyn Audino struck the left corner of the net, enabling JCU to walk away from Don Shula Stadium with a 1-0 win and remain undefeated in conference play.

"She has been doing it for four years. She is our senior captain, she was willing to step-up tonight and has all year long." said head coach Michael Marich. "That play comes from being able to win a ball at mid-field. To go forward and put them under pressure. She stepped up and finished it."

That score was Audino's seventh of the season. She leads the team with that mark.

"The pressure was on. It was a 0-0 game against Mount," Audino said. "I practice those before every game. It is nerve-wracking but I stay focused. I hit it like I always do."

John Carroll is 2-0 to start Ohio Athletic Conference play for the first time since 2002. That year, the Blue Streaks beat Marietta and Heidelberg as part of a 7-0 start in league play which led to a regular season co-championship.

The Purple Raiders came into University Heights firing on all cylinders. Within the first four minutes of the game, they fired three shots. The Blue Streaks countered with three shots during the eighth through 16th minutes, none of which came on the net. 

In the second half, the Blue and Gold rolled with early momentum created by Audino in the opening minute. JCU sprang six more shots but only Audino's second shot of the second stanza hit the back of the net. 

The Blue Streaks limited Mount Union to one-shot on goal in the second half, after being outshot JCU 4-3 in the first.

"It is great to get two wins in the conference under your belt, especially when you're playing at home," said Marich.

JCU will look to keep their two-game win streak intact this Saturday in Capital against the Crusaders.