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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Turrittin FK
The Blue Streaks' season ended in the Round of 16 on Saturday. 
1
John Carroll JCU (14-4-2)
2
Winner Middlebury MIDD (13-4-3)
John Carroll JCU
(14-4-2)
1
Final
2
Middlebury MIDD
(13-4-3)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCU 1 0 1
Middlebury MIDD 0 2 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Dream Season Comes to a Close in Round of 16 for Men’s Soccer

AMHERST, Mass. -- The 2021 season will be remembered fondly for a long time in John Carroll Men's Soccer lore.

The Blue Streaks' journey ended with a 2-1 defeat to Middlebury College in the NCAA Division III Tournament on Saturday at Amherst College in the Round of 16. 

The loss surely stings, but it takes none of the luster off a season that will go down in history as one of the best Blue Streaks fans have ever seen. The 2021 Blue Streaks joined the 2003 team as the second squad to make it to the Round of 16. 

"It's hard to put this team in perspective," said Head Coach Dejan Mladenovic '06 said. "It's different from that 2003 team. These guys were mega-talented, very deep in the roster, lots of options off the bench. In terms of formation, style, etc. We tried to pull every card out of our sleeve this weekend and it just wasn't enough. 

"These guys have a lot to be proud of. At the end of the day, they still etched their name in JCU Men's Soccer history as the second team to reach the NCAA Sweet 16."

The Blue Streaks knew from the get-go that the Third Round match would be a challenge. Amherst's field is a grass surface, and the Blue Streaks had only played two games on grass all year. A member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference, Middlebury is used to playing on grass.

The Panthers started out hot on offense, earning some early chances. Middlebury managed its first shot on goal in the ninth minute, and Connor Robinson stared it down. Robinson made another save in the 18th minute, and another in the 22nd minute, this time off a header. 

The Blue Streaks hit some shots, but nothing on net early. JCU played a physical game, with Will Turrittin picking up a yellow card in the 24th minute. 

Nicholas Graeca showed off slick moves and tabbed a shot on goal in the 31st minute and then hit one high in the 42nd minute. 

In the waning moments of the first half, John Carroll started to gain traction. Sensing this, the Panthers committed fouls to try to slow the Blue Streaks down, turning up the physicality. With under a minute to play in the period, Turrittin fired in a free kick. The ball clipped off a Middlebury player's head and into the net for a goal for JCU.

With 20 seconds left in the first, the Blue Streaks had the lead.

"Will is Will. He's a gamer, he always shows up in the big moments," Mladenovic said of Turrittin. "No surprise he scores the goal. He will go down in John Carroll history as one of the best players to ever put on a Blue & Gold uniform. We can't thank him enough for all of his efforts for the program."

The Panthers played inspired soccer out of the break, and found the equalizer. In the 53rd minute, Jordan Saint-Louis found the back of the net off assists by Liam Sloan and Ben Powers. Just like that, the match stood tied at one apiece. 

A veteran squad, John Carroll didn't look lost after the goal, immediately getting a pair of chances. Graeca and Hayden Haffner each tallied shots on net, but both were met by Middlebury. 

The teams traded corner kicks before Graeca showed off his special feet again in the 63rd and 65th minutes with a pair of shots that just missed. 

In the 72nd minute, the Panthers got what would turn out to be the game-winner. Middlebury got a nice bounce on a play towards the JCU end, and Jordan Saint-Louis found space. The team's leading scorer centered the ball to Aiden Pape, who slotted a header in the right lower corner of the net. And just like that, with 18 minutes left, John Carroll was on the ropes.

Playing like a team possessed, the Blue Streaks fought quite hard, but the Panthers did not relent on offense. Middlebury kept John Carroll pinned down in their own end, and thwarted JCU's best efforts to counter on offense. Michael Burrington hit a header shot in the 84th minute, but the ball went straight to the gut of the keeper. 

John Carroll battled in the final minutes, and got some promising opportunities and looks. But the Panthers held on and ended John Carroll's season.

"The difference-maker was the style of play," said Mladenovic. "They're a very direct team and they're very good at it. Given the playing surface, that's obviously not what we're used to. Not making excuses, but that didn't allow us to play our game like we normally would. Our guys did a great job of trying to battle on the fly and figure things out. We gave our best effort."

The match marked the end to so many incredible careers. The Blue Streaks were laden with talented seniors who gave so much to the program. 

Adding to the specialness of the senior class is the abundance of fifth-year players who created so many lasting memories for JCU fans. 

"The fifth-years have been around for almost half a decade now, and they've done great things in the program in terms of setting records and trophies," Mladenovic said. "They've been ultra-successful from day one. Also, with the fourth-years, they're 4-for-4 in terms of winning the OAC regular season and the tournament titles. I can't thank them enough. I appreciate them more than I can ever put into words. I wish them the best in their future endeavors."

Adding to the special feel of this team was the support system.

Alumni from all across the country and the world sent well wishes to the Blue Streaks during the team's postseason run. The JCU community rallied around the Blue Streaks over the course of the season, making Mladenovic's first year at the helm quite special. It was a heck of a year for the Wenzler Warriors. 

"I would like to thank all of the JCU community, parents, alumni, and everyone who has supported us throughout this season," Mladenovic said. "The outpouring of messages through our title run in the past month has been tremendous. Our strength in numbers is getting bigger and better every year. I can't thank the entire JCU soccer community enough for what they do for me, our program, and all of our guys." 
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