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John Carroll University Athletics

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Emma West vs. Carleton 11-15-25
Pierrendiritu Photography
Emma West
0
John Carroll JCU (13-6-1, 5-2-0)
1
Winner Carleton CC (17-2-2, 9-1-1)
John Carroll JCU
(13-6-1, 5-2-0)
0
Final
1
Carleton CC
(17-2-2, 9-1-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCU 0 0 0
Carleton CC 1 0 1

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

Women's Soccer Upended in First Round of NCAA Tournament, Losing to Carleton

The Knights scored on a first-half free kick to bounce JCU from the postseason

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Unlike the magical 2023 run, the 2025 postseason will not be a historical one for John Carroll Women's Soccer. 

Despite enjoying the better of the play for a good chunk of the First Round match, the Blue Streaks could not find the back of the net.

An unstoppable shot off a free kick provided the game-winner for Carleton College (MN) in a 1-0 decision at Lake Forest College.

The teams spent about the first 10 minutes feeling each other out, exchanging shots and possession. Julia Niehaus notched a great strike from distance to challenge Carleton. Madeline Martin made a couple routine saves.

In the 12th minute, Emma West fired a great strike, forcing the Carleton keeper to make a diving save. A couple minutes later, Abby Smith had a great service from the right flank onto the top of the six but Carleton defended it well. 

Towards the midway mark of the half, JCU took a pair of long distance shots that the Knights managed to handle, but the latter chance in the 27th minute required a diving effort.

But despite JCU's chances, it was Carleton to score first. Following a JCU foul, Lauren Caldwell lofted a beautiful ball on a free kick from the right side of the box. The gorgeous shot found the upper right corner, as Martin couldn't do anything about.

The Knights led in shots on goal after the first 45 minutes, 6-5, but the opening half was overall dominated by JCU. The Blue Streaks no doubt felt unlucky to be trailing at the break. 

In the early portion of the second half, Carleton fired a pair of shots from outside the box. One went just wide and the other shot went just over the bar. 

In the 56th minute, the Knights looked in prime position to add to the lead with a breakaway. But Martin stood tall and kept JCU in striking distance.

JCU saw an opportunity go by the wayside in the 65th minute, as a ball across the box just missed West's reach. 

Carleton almost struck on another impressively struck free kick. In the 82nd minute, the Knights clanged a shot off the left side of the crossbar that thankfully deflected out of harm's way. 

Meredith Coloian hit the post on a shot outside the box in the 88th minute, but that would be as close as the Blue Streaks would get. The Carleton defense did an excellent job in the second half of stifling JCU and negating any chances.

The Knights outshot the Blue Streaks in the second half, 6-2, including 2-0 on net. Madeline Martin made 7 saves.

And thus the season comes to a close for John Carroll. The senior class of Alli Malinky, Abby Smith, Kathryn Shaffer, Emily Patrzyk, Gabriella Crafton, Coloian, West, plus Martin (graduating early) will be missed tremendously. The seniors formed the core of a team that won two conference titles and made two NCAA Tournament appearances in three seasons.

Without a doubt, the senior class will be remembered forever, perhaps even some of the members one day enshrined in the JCU Athletic Hall of Fame. Blue Streaks fans should be plenty proud of this 2025 John Carroll Women's Soccer squad. 
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