Box Score UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A rainy day didn't dull the shine of the John Carroll University Men's Soccer Team as they came out on top to beat Otterbein 1-0 at Don Shula Stadium on Thursday night.

The win marked Hector Marinaro's 178th win, which set a new record for most wins all-time by a JCU Men's Soccer head coach. 

"More importantly, we won a big OAC game against Otterbein, who we played in the 2019 championship game," Marinaro said. "It was a well-contested game. The bottom-line is when you have great players, they make the coach look good. When you win 178 games, that does not come unless you have great players and a great coaching staff. A lot of people helped me out. I am proud of winning 178 wins."

Marinaro and the Blue Streaks have dedicated the 2021 season to the former Sports Information Director, the late Chris Wenzler. A win for the Blue and Gold meant a win for Wenzler's Warriors. 

"On a night like tonight, you think of Chris Wenzler and his family. He was apart of 175 wins. Every game he was apart of," Marinaro said. "I miss him and I wish he was here to celebrate with me. His family was here and they're a big part of what we do."

As the game kicked off, the Blue Streaks immediately applied pressure in Otterbein's territory with a shot on goal and several free-kick attempts. 

It wasn't long until those attempts turned into goals with Jared Mattei scoring with a header off of an a pass from Izac Coleman giving John Carroll the 1-0 lead 5:03 into the match.

Big defensive plays from both teams were ongoing after the Blue Streaks goal as Otterbein continued to fight on in an attempt to tie the game. The Cardinals' push wasn't enough to put up any points in the first-half, as the Blue Streaks went into halftime ahead 1-0.

With the Blue Streaks on fire from their first-half performance, they were ready to finish what they started.

But not without pressure from the Cardinals, who had more goal attempts and defensive plays to crank up the energy.

As the clock kept ticking though, Otterbein's chances to score were dwindling and the Blue Streaks were inching closer and closer to a win.

And a win is what they got, as the Blue Streaks held on to defeat the Cardinals for the 15th time in 16 seasons. 

Next up, JCU Men's Soccer will face Ohio Northern University on March 28. The game is set to start at 2:00 p.m.