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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
2
John Carroll JCU (12-7-1, 7-1-1)
3
Winner Ohio Northern ONU (14-5-1, 8-1-0)
John Carroll JCU
(12-7-1, 7-1-1)
2
Final
3
Ohio Northern ONU
(14-5-1, 8-1-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCU 1 1 2
Ohio Northern ONU 3 0 3
Jennifer Crowley vs. ONU on 11-9-24
ONU Sports Information
Jennifer Crowley and the Blue Streaks battled to the end.

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Gianluca DiGiacomo, Staff Writer

Women's Soccer Fall Just Short in OAC Championship Duel

A Narrow Finish in Ada Completes Another Successful Season

ADA, Ohio – This afternoon, the John Carroll Blue Streaks traveled west to Ada to battle the Ohio Northern Polar Bears in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. Coming off of an ecstatic victory back at home against Capital University just two days prior, the team may have been banged up, but were highly motivated for their test out west – the Ohio Northern Polar Bears.

After John Carroll defeated the Orange and White in the OAC Championship last year, the Polar Bears responded on November 2 by being the only loss on the Blue Streaks' final OAC resume, finishing out with a 7-1-1 record. Now it came down to this—one last chance to take home hardware and secure a second consecutive NCAA tournament bid.

Despite a valiant effort, the Blue Streaks could not find themselves on the winning side on a chilly afternoon in enemy territory, losing with a 3-2 final scoreline.

After a long journey for a massive matchup, the team was in very high spirits, looking motivated as they prepared for their last chapter under Ohio Athletic Conference reign. The Polar Bears on the other hand, did not take long to test their spirits, sending in some dangerous set pieces in the opening six minutes of play. The Polar Bears looked fierce, but nonetheless it was the Blue Streaks who were the first movers.

With JCU's first proper push torwards goal, senior striker Madyson Rosado took a shot from the right hand side of the box smothered by an Ohio Northern defender and out for a corner kick. The match hero on Thursday, Meredith Coloian, stepped up on the far side, whipping in a picture perfect corner, sent straight towards the penalty spot for center back Kathryn Shaffer, who headed one home with power.

John Carroll swiped all of the momentum from the home side as celebrations ensued, but not for long.

Just two minutes later, the Polar Bears had a corner kick of their own. After the initial ball, pandemonium ensued in the box, landing for Alyssa Beckett, her shot trickling across the face of goal and treading into the bottom right corner.

Shortly after, Northern worked their way back with momentum, getting a couple of stellar chances in the coming minutes, Jill Roberts getting a good look just over a minute after the equalizer, and another chance coming two minutes later that forced a routine save from Madeline Martin.

In the 26th minute, Ohio Northern pulled ahead. A winding corner kick towards the back post was punched away by Madeline Martin. The ball traveled to the top of the box for Haley Cannon, who hammered a half-volley with great power and placement as it found the left hand side of the net.

The Polar Bears proceeded to smother John Carroll with their fortunes, kicking their mental and physical game into fifth gear for the majority of the remainder of the first half. Some chances created were more dangerous than others, with sophomore keeper Madeline Martin coming up big on a few occasions.

Even with the Blue Streaks adjusting accordingly as time passed, Ohio Northern tagged on another one with just over two minutes left on the clock, giving the team another sour talking point to go into the break with. After a foul call in transition, the Polar Bears whipped in a low, powerful free kick towards the back post, and defender Jess Gast got a boot to it for a one-time finish into the bottom right corner. Now the home team was really running rampant, closing out the half on a high note.

The Blue Streaks needed a change in some regard during the halftime break—the team was outshot 14-3 in the first 45 minutes, their only shot on goal being Shaffer's header compared to Northern's seven.

Much of the second half did not yield an abundance of offensive affairs, much of the game being played towards the center of the park with both teams jousting for possession and some sort of space to make things work.

The Blue Streaks had a heavy knock on the door in the 68th minute, a ball crossed to the back post set up Meredith Coloian for a really good shot, marred by a tremendous save from Ohio Northern's keeper.

As the game ticked down quicker, the Blue Streaks became desperate for looks, shifting closer and closer into panic mode as more time slipped through their fingers.

With just four minutes left on the clock, John Carroll gave themselves a lifeline, Madyson Rosado winning back possession and sending a shot soaring over the head of the keeper and into the back of the net. The Blue and Gold found a second wind, and they needed to use it quickly.

The Blue Streaks gave it everything they had, but they were not able to find a leveler as the final seconds of their season bled off the clock, and Ohio Northern had completed their tread for the OAC double—John Carroll on the other hand heartbroken with defeat.

Although the team may not have a trophy to show for, the Blue Streaks certainly have nothing to be ashamed of; with a 7-1-1 conference record, a tournament championship appearance, and an incredible foundation for next season, there is a lot to be excited for for Blue Streaks fans everywhere.

It will be a winter to recover and a very exciting season to come, with a fresh slate and a debuting season in the North Coast Athletic Conference to look forward to.
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Scoring Summary

Scoring Summary
Scoring Team Scoring Play
10:37
JCU Kathryn Shaffer (2)
Assisted By: Meredith Coloian
GOAL by JCU Shaffer, Kathryn Assist by Coloian, Meredith.
12:08
ONU Alyssa Beckett (11)
Assisted By: Kylie Cabana
GOAL by ONU Beckett, Alyssa Assist by Cabana, Kylie.
25:24
ONU Haley Cannon (2)
GOAL by ONU Cannon, Haley.
42:57
ONU Jess Gast (2)
Assisted By: Emma Bowman
GOAL by ONU Gast, Jess Assist by Bowman, Emma.
85:44
JCU Madyson Rosado (10)
GOAL by JCU Rosado, Madyson.

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