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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
2023 OAC Champs WSOC
Gabby Hougan
With a flawless 8-0-1 OAC record, the Blue Streaks finish unbeaten in conference play for the first time ever. 
0
Muskingum MUS (2-13-3, 0-8-1)
3
Winner John Carroll JCU (12-1-4, 8-0-1)
Muskingum MUS
(2-13-3, 0-8-1)
0
Final
3
John Carroll JCU
(12-1-4, 8-0-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Muskingum MUS 0 0 0
John Carroll JCU 3 0 3

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

OAC CHAMPIONS! Women's Soccer Wins Regular Season Crown for First Time Since '13

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – For the first time in a decade, John Carroll Women's Soccer are champions.

The Blue Streaks are the 2023 Ohio Athletic Conference Regular Season Champions.

John Carroll defeated Muskingum on Saturday at Don Shula Stadium, 3-0, to conclude the regular season with a flawless 8-0-1 record in conference play, and a 12-1-4 overall mark thus far. 

"It's exciting, it's always great to win a championship. But the way this team did it this year from start to finish has been phenomenal," said Head Coach Michael Marich. "It's a great balance from the ability to score some great goals, not just one person this year, but multiple players. Defensively, they've been phenomenal in regards to being able to keep shutouts and limit goals while being a tough team to break down."

The Blue Streaks can also celebrate a historic first, as this marks the first time that JCU Women's Soccer has gone without a loss in conference play. 

"They've shown up and met every challenge, and found a way to go unbeaten in the conference play for the first time in program history, which is exciting for us," said Marich. "The players will tell you that it's the chemistry off the field that brings it on the field. They play for each other every single game."

The Blue Streaks got the scoring early on vs. Muskingum, showing no nerves at home in the pursuit of the program's first title since 2013. 

John Carroll got a couple quick shots, including a shot on goal. Then, Abby Smith passed a perfect ball to Emily Patrzyk right in front of the keeper. Patrzyk headed it perfectly to the left side of the net for her ninth goal of the season. 

The Twinsburg native's goal in the fifth minute set the Blue Streaks ahead, 1-0, and eased any nerves of the John Carroll faithful. 

The Blue Streaks continued to press the advantage. Abby Smith got a shot on the goalie in the 12th minute. Patrzyk also had a nice chance that just went wide. The Blue Streaks continued to miss closely, with some wide shots after excellent through balls and build up. 

After plenty of attempts, the Blue Streaks broke through again in the 26th minute. Emma West set up Madyson Rosado with some green in the box. The North Ridgeville native took a couple touches before rocketing a beautiful shot upper 90 for a 2-0 advantage.

Muskingum notched a fantastic team save in the 28th minute on an unreal chance for JCU. The Muskies goalkeeper made a save on the following play to keep JCU off the board that time. But not for long. 

Emma West sent in a picture-perfect pass right to the foot of Sara Gennuso. The freshman from Fairview, Pennsylvania met foot to ball and slotted it perfectly into the net in the 30th minute.  

"I try to stay focused and play through the defenders, and then find plays where we can hit it easily," said West. "Whenever I'm most relaxed, I can see open spaces and gaps to find players through."

The Blue Streaks kept up the pace but did not strike again in the first half. The hosts held a 19-3 advantage in shots, including an 11-0 margin in shots on goal.

Meredith Coloian, Alli Malinky, and Emily Patrzyk all got shots on goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but it was fairly quiet beyond that to start the second stanza. 

Muskingum got a couple of solid chances, to which John Carroll responded with strong offensive opportunities. Patrzyk got a through ball and put a shot on the goalie, which was turned away. Muskingum blanked her again later on. 

With the 3-0 lead, JCU got a chance to see many players enjoy playing time, as Elese Tichy, Maria Meyer, Lauren Tomasetti, Charlotte Stibley, and Adrianna Tartaglia all saw the field for the first time this season. JCU played a total of 28 players tonight. Julia Niehaus didn't appear on the stat sheet tonight, but played well in her 64 minutes, too. 

John Carroll finished with a clear advantage in shots, 28-8, as well as in shots on goal, 17-3.

The Blue Streaks now have four OAC Regular Season Championships in program history since joining the conference in 1989. John Carroll adds 2023 to the banner after the years 2000, 2001, and 2013. This is the second OAC crown of the Marich era.

John Carroll can also lay claim to the distinction of an undefeated home regular season record at 9-0, the first time that's happened since 2000. 

"You always want to defend your home field. It's something about playing in front of the home fans," said Marich. "They've made it a point to leave everything on the field every single game. Hopefully we have a couple more in us next week with the tournament. What they've done since they got on campus to now has been phenomenal and we look forward to what they're going to do next.

"I'm super proud of them," Marich continued. "The way the seniors led this young group has been great. We've been slowly getting better and better since not making the conference tournament a couple years ago. Hopefully it's showed on the field and will continue." 

The Blue Streaks will now have a chance to rest and recuperate. John Carroll will enjoy home field advantage throughout the conference tournament. JCU will host the lowest remaining seed on Thursday in the OAC Tournament Semifinal.

Here are the matchups via the conference office: 

Tuesday, October 31 - First Round, at higher seed
Host institution determines start time. Games may kickoff any time between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For doubleheaders, women must play first.

Game 1: No. 6 Wilmington at No. 3 Ohio Northern
Game 2: No. 5 Baldwin Wallace at No. 4 Capital

Thursday, November 2- Semifinals, at higher seed
Host institution determines start time. Games may kickoff any time between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For doubleheaders, women must play first.

Game 3: No. 1 John Carroll hosts lowest remaining seed
Game 4: No. 2 Otterbein hosts second lowest remaining seed

Saturday, November 4 - Finals, at higher seed
Host institution determines start time. Games may kickoff any time between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For doubleheaders, women must play first.

Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner at highest remaining seed
 
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