Box Score GREENCASTLE, Ind. – The middle game of a tough 3-game stretch for John Carroll Men's Soccer hit its midpoint on Saturday.
The Blue Streaks stood toe-to-toe with the defending North Coast Athletic Conference Champions on the road.
DePauw struck first. But the Streaks answered with a 5-goal run to secure a 5-2 victory over the 2025 NCAC Champions.
DePauw got on the board first in the 11th minute. The Tigers got a corner kick and converted off of a header from the right side of the box. Bryce Sampson got a piece of it, but the ball hit the inside of the left post. Initially not called a goal by the referee, video review granted the Tigers the goal.
Each team had chances as the first half continued, as both the Blue Streaks and the Tigers made two saves. The match looked equal, in terms of corners, fouls, shots, and possession.
Early in the second half, the Blue Streaks got back to level ground. On a DePauw goal kick, Zalan Onodi headed the ball from midfield, and Dylan Halm headed it further still. The ball bounded past the DePauw backline and Luka Pranjeta took advantage. The junior lofted a high shot over the out-of-position DePauw keeper to draw the game to 1-1.
Just four minutes later, the Blue Streaks struck again. Off a DePauw turnover near midfield, the Blue and Gold quickly worked it ahead. DePauw headed the ball, trying to clear, but Halm knocked it down with his chest to a waiting Onodi. The Saint Ignatius grad wasted no time in right-footing a rocket low left past DePauw defenders and a diving keeper.
The backbreaker occurred in the 60th minute. Off a JCU nearside throw-in, the ball bounced around, as Pranjeta and Nic Slagle both tried to get shots. But Halm beat a DePauw player trying to clear it and shot it directly into the back of the net for a shocking 3-1 lead.
Yet, there was still plenty of time to play, 30 minutes and 13 seconds to be exact.
Just 15 minutes later, the Streaks added another to the board. Halm struck the ball to find the back of the cage. John Carroll took the 4-1 lead over the Tigers.
The Streaks could not be stopped. Right after a Tigers kickoff, Rafa De La Barrera found the back of the net, giving the Streaks a 4-point lead over the Tigers.
The Tigers refused to let the deficit control their momentum. A late second-half free kick allowed DePauw to find the back of the net, narrowing the deficit to 3 goals.
A hard-fought match gives Carroll the 5-2 win.
This victory marks a momentous win for the Streaks. With a 5-2 win over the defending 2025 NCAC champions, John Carroll has made a statement to the conference, establishing themselves as a serious contender for the 2026 title.
Next Up
The Blue Streaks have another huge match on tap, hosting NCAC juggernaut Kenyon on Wednesday at Don Shula Stadium, live on Rock Entertainment Sports Network.
