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John Carroll University Athletics

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Lindstrom 2019

Season Preview: Women's Soccer Set for Unique Opportunity in 2021

| By: Anna Meyer, Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The 2019 season ended in a heart breaker for the John Carroll University Women's Soccer program. In the 88th minute, the top-seeded Ohio Northern University scored a goal to win the contest 1-0. This ended the Blue Streaks 10-7-3 season, as well as their Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament run. 

Little did the team know at the time they would not step on the field to play another game until 493 days later. After the postponement of fall sports in the OAC due to COVID-19, the Blue Streaks Women's Soccer team is ready to face off in their first matchup on Sunday, March 14 at 2:00 p.m. against Muskingum University.

Eight-year veteran Head Coach Michael Marich is leading the Blue Streaks into their new modified season with nine games, all against OAC opponents. 

"This is an opportunity for us to see what we have for next fall with the quick turnaround before next when we will play in a full season." 

The preparation during the off-season looked very different than a normal year.

"This year obviously is different from everything else just talking about the protocols as well as the amount of time the girls have been off," said Marich. "It's been basically a year and a half since we played a game. It is a little bit different and we are trying to get everyone back into gear."

The Blue and Gold had less time to prepare than originally planned for a normal season. The team has been training and slowly building back up since January when they returned to campus. 

"The seniors have stepped up and taken on a big role as well as the class leaders. Our seniors Claudia, Casey, and Sydney have done a good job of leading from the front but each class has had a team leader as well." 

The three returning seniors for the Blue Streak's are forward Sydney Scello, midfielder Casey Lindstrom and defender Claudia Lenhart.  Both Lenhart and Lindstrom started in every game for JCU in 2019. Lenhart garnered an All-OAC Honorable Mention in 2019 for her outstanding defensive performance. Scello made 13 appearances and six starts but suffered an injury during her 2019 campaign. 

" Lindstrom is our senior that has played all four years and she will be a part of the midfield as well as Macey Malinky. There will be a lot of new faces that are training to come in and play and make a difference on the midfield."

 The junior class returns six players with the leadership and experience of Brittany Dufalla (seven goals in 2019) and Danielle DelGuidice (starting goalie in thirteen games last year). Dufalla is expected to play a critical role in generating offense for JCU. 

"We graduated Jaclyn Audino last year who set the record for most assists in a career and our goals and points leader, '' said Marich. "Trying to fill her shoes is a big part. We hope that Dufalla will pick up where she left off and build into the year. She looked great in the training sessions and is very motivated to be a key part of the attack this year" 

The sophomore class is led by defender/midfielder Lauren Gumeney who started in 19 out of 20 games during her freshman year campaign.

 Grace Monin was also one of the key contributors from the freshman class for the Blue and Gold. During her rookie season, she appeared in all 20 contests and started in 12. She finished the season with seven goals, two assists, and 16 points. Her standout season earned her a spot on the 2019 All-OAC Second Team. 

John Carroll is equipped with both Danielle DelGiudice and Mackenzie Stease who both started games for the Blue Streaks in 2019 at goalie. 

"Right now, they both have been competing for minutes and it will be a good opportunity for us to see how they play. Both Mckenzie and Dani have been competing for the spot. Dani is prepared to be in there."

The line protecting the goalkeepers will be determined at game time on Sunday. 

"After last year we graduated one senior from the defense and another senior that graduated early before the season. It is about the next player up and trying to find the right combination of girls. Some seniors, as well as freshmen, are competing to help keep the ball out of the net." 

John Carroll will not be lacking when it comes to new faces on the team. The freshman class consists of 11 players. 

"We have a good group of freshmen that have pushed the level of training and several of them will be looking to come off the bench or potentially start throughout the year." 

"We are excited about the group we have on all three lines - the attack, midfield and defense. It is going to be exciting just to be back on the field and see how the group competes together as well as how we can grow and get games in for them to play."

John Carroll will have opportunities during the season to face off against some of the strongest teams in the OAC.

"The conference is always strong. Normally you play against the non-conference games to see how you match up to the conference teams but we have no idea this year how the teams will be. There is anticipation that Ohio Northern, Capital and Otterbein will be at the top of the conference"
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