Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Luka Pranjeta vs. Mount Union on 10-1-25
Peter Wangechi
Luka Pranjeta
2
Winner Mount Union UMU (7-1-2, 0-0-0)
1
John Carroll JCU (4-5-2, 0-0-0)
Winner
Mount Union UMU
(7-1-2, 0-0-0)
2
Final
1
John Carroll JCU
(4-5-2, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Mount Union UMU 0 2 2
John Carroll JCU 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | JCUSID

Late Penalty Kick Goal Sinks Men's Soccer in Home Defeat to Mount Union

The Blue Streaks outshot the Purple Raiders by a wide margin but lost a tough one

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – The final test before conference play ended in defeat for John Carroll Men's Soccer.

Andrew Massucci netted a late first-half goal as part of a hard-working JCU effort, but Mount Union provided the equalizer not long into the second half on a beautiful evening at Don Shula Stadium. And the dagger came on a penalty kick in the 85th minute, a difficult blow to overcome. 

With the 2-1 loss, Blue Streaks thus head into North Coast Athletic Conference play with a 4-5-2 record. 

After being beaten by Mount Union's hard work ethic a year ago, the Blue Streaks resolved to set the tone in the early going. John Carroll enjoyed much of the possession in the first 15 minutes. The hosts saw some promising chances, none moreso than a thrilling Andrew Massucci shot that clanked off the left post in the 16th minute. Rafa De La Barrera got a shot on net early on in the 4th minute, as well. 

Physicality played a role following the first subs of the match in the 25th minute. Mount Union started to tilt the pitch a bit, but John Carroll stole some momentum in the 35th minute, as Harley Forkins sent a promising chance high and to the right. 

The Blue Streaks' consistent efforts at last paid off in the 42nd minute. On a long Patrick Bohan throw-in, the ball bounced around the box. The Mount Union goalkeeper deflected the ball perfectly to a backpedaling Massucci. The Pittsburgher left-footed a bouncing ball past the mass of humanity and into the back of the net, picking up the scraps. 

Massucci's fifth goal of the campaign set the hosts at halftime, 1-0. Not only that, but the Blue Streaks held a 13-2 advantage in shots at the break. 

Out of halftime, the Purple Raiders came out swinging. In the 50th minute, the visitors received a free kick from just outside the box, but thankfully the shot hit off the player wall. JCU responded by counterpunching with chances, including a Harley Forkins shot on goal in the 55th minute. 

The visitors leveled it up in the 60th minute. Aiden Strand-Fosx sent forward a deep pass from the backline that one-bounced to the doorstep of the box and to the foot of Amir Spratt. The Kent native centered it to Alex Depperschmidt, who beat the keeper low left for the equalizer. 

Guilherme Wanderley tabbed a shot on net in the 61st minute to help JCU get back on offense. Wanderly managed another shot on net in the 75th minute, shortly followed by a Dylan Halm shot on cage. 

The match was overall clean for what was no doubt physical at times, with the first yellow card not occurring until the 77th minute. 
 
Wanderly garnered a chance in alone with the keeper, but Mount Union's netminder made the save. In the 85th minute, bad luck bit the Blue Streaks.

A Mount Union shot careened off a Blue Streak's hand, though the player appeared to be outside the box. Nonetheless, Dom Kustura took advantage of the chance, firing home the penalty kick. 

JCU tried to respond, but could not generate any truly threatening chances except for a valiant but short Massucci chance in the final minute. 

JCU stood far ahead in shots, 25-8, and in shots on goal, 10-2.

Next Up
The Blue Streaks will remain at home to begin NCAC play on Saturday. John Carroll will welcome Oberlin College under the lights for a 7:30 pm to ring in the NCAC era. 
Print Friendly Version

Sponsors