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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Brooke Berkowitz media day
Jose Figueroa
Brooke Berkowitz provided a bright spot with a goal in her first collegiate game
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John Carroll JCU (0-1)
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Winner Otterbein OTT (1-0)
John Carroll JCU
(0-1)
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Final
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Otterbein OTT
(1-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCU 0 1 1
Otterbein OTT 1 1 2

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

Late PK Goal Upends Women's Soccer in Season Opener

The Blue Streaks dropped a close one to Otterbein in a neutral-site game

ERIE, Pa. – While the 2025 campaign marks a new era for John Carroll Women's Soccer, the Blue Streaks faced an old foe to start the season.

The Blue Streaks did battle with the Otterbein University Cardinals on Saturday – formerly a conference foe but now a non-conference opponent – as part of the Herb Lauffer Memorial Soccer Tournaments.

A late goal did in the Blue Streaks in a 2-1 decision.

Injuries forced the Blue Streaks to turn to a younger lineup, with Head Coach Michael Marich starting a trio of first-year players (Brooke Berkowitz, Julia Ciura, and Andrea Quintero Delgado). Six more rookies would see action off the bench, as well.

Otterbein dominated the chances in the first half, and thus it was no surprise that the Cardinals managed to find twine first. The Cardinals scored the season's first goal in the 42nd minute.

JCU trailed at the break, 1-0, also behind in the shots column, 12-2. Madeline Martin made six saves in the first 45 minutes.

Berkowitz made quite the impression in her debut, making her mark early in the second half. The Saint Joseph Academy grad hit a long-range left-footed strike over the keeper from the left side of the field. Emily Patrzyk, a smart senior, provided the assist on the play.

For a long while, it appeared that the teams were destined for a draw, with shots even. However, Martin did make four saves in the second half to Otterbein's one. But late in the contest in the 86th minute, a foul in the box by JCU led to a penalty kick for the Cardinals.

To JCU's dismay, the Cardinals did not miss. So with just four and a half minutes left, JCU needed a miracle. One did not appear, thus dooming JCU to its second season-opening loss since 2022. Otterbein leads the all-time series, 23-13-5.

Besides Martin, star defender Kathryn Shaffer was the lone Blue Streak to play the full 90. Alli Malinky came close in an 87-minute evening. Marich played a total of 21 players in the contest.

Next Up
The Blue Streaks will have a quick turnaround. JCU faces the tournament host Penn State Behrend in a 2:30 pm matchup in Erie. 
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