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John Carroll University Athletics

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JCU WS Season Opener
The Blue Streaks got scoring from two freshmen in the home opener. 
2
Westminster (PA) WES (0-0-1, 0-0-0)
2
John Carroll JCU (0-0-1, 0-0-0)
Westminster (PA) WES
(0-0-1, 0-0-0)
2
Final
2
John Carroll JCU
(0-0-1, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Westminster (PA) WES 1 1 2
John Carroll JCU 1 1 2

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

Setpieces Secure Season Opening Tie for Women's Soccer

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – In recent years, Michael Marich's Blue Streaks have performed quite well in home openers, tallying a 3-0-1 mark in the last four entering Thursday's opener.

John Carroll Women's Soccer played excellently in the team's 2022 debut at Don Shula Stadium. 

The Blue Streaks accepted a 2-2 tie after a very nice effort on a sunny afternoon. John Carroll scored two pretty goals, both off setpieces.

"Setpieces are a huge piece of the game," said Marich. "We train for them, and that's one of our goals that we're positive on setpieces. We scored two and gave up one on them, so that's a positive and it gives you a chance to win."

Two freshmen played the heroes on offense, as Emily Patrzyk and Bailey Brown made excellent first impressions in their first games in the Blue & Gold. 

John Carroll did not take long to get the season's first goal. Just before the six minute mark, Claire Hollern lined up for a corner kick from the northwest corner. Hollern placed a perfect ball into the box.

And in the middle to head in the perfect pass was Emily Patrzyk. The freshman from Twinsburg slotted into the top center quadrant, a picture-perfect goal to open up the 2022 campaign.

"It was great momentum scoring just five minutes in," said Marich. "It was a great start to the game and season." 

The teams traded opportunities after the early offense, with promising chances for both sides. Hollern lined up on another corner and certainly had the visitors on edge. But the Titans would be the next to score.

Near the 30-minute mark of the half, Westminster's Natalie Vilchek played an excellent through ball from near midfield over the heads of the JCU defense and to the edge of the box. Juliana Kontul, making her first start in net for JCU, came out to thwart the opportunity. But Westminster's Allie Augustine tapped the ball into the back of the net for the goal. 

The remaining 15 minutes of the half saw the Titans control the possession. But the John Carroll defense stood firm as Kontul read the Westminster attack well. Jennifer Crowley did tab a nice shot on goal around the 43-minute mark, but the Titans turned it away. 

So, the score stood deadlocked entering the halftime break. 

Westminster controlled the play in the early goings of the second half. Mackenzie Stease subbed into the game and played well in between the pipes.

The Blue Streaks managed to find twine at the 67-minute mark of the contest. Once again, it came off a set piece for the Blue Streaks.

Claire Hollern lined up for another corner kick, this time from the Southeast corner. She fired it into the center of the field near the 5-yard line. Gabriella Walter headed it up and Bailey Brown lifted it into the top-center of the net, beautifully right-footing it in for the lead. Not bad for a freshman playing her first JCU game.

"It's exciting to see freshmen come in and contribute right away," said Marich. "You hope to see players step on the field and make an impact immediately. We hope to build on that. But super services by Claire on both balls that got in, both were dangerous. I hope we continue to score goals like that."

The Titans got back to even with just under 12 minutes to play. Natalie Vilcek slotted in a corner kick to the near left side of the box, and Mackenzie Powell did the rest, quickly kicking it into the back of the net.

The final minutes of the game were a back-and-forth frenzy. It was a frenetic pace, as the Blue Streaks and Titans looked to decide the deadlock before the end of regulation. 

Despite chances by both teams that looked promising, the Blue Streaks and Titans settled for a tie. The NCAA scrapped overtime during the regular season during the offseason.

John Carroll played an all-around game, but the netminders deserve extra credit. Juliana Kontul made her first appearance in net and then played in the field in the second half. And Mackenzie Stease returned after an injury last year. 

"In the second half, they put pressure on us, and it was great to be able to have Mac back in goals and make some saves for us," Marich added. "The two putting together a good game by each playing a half was big. We're just going to keep working hard to keep the ball out of the net."

The Blue Streaks will be back in action against Washington & Jefferson at 1 pm on Saturday.  
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