John Carroll University Athletics

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS — History was made on Schweickert Field this afternoon. 

As John Carroll took the field for the first home field hockey game in program history, the Blue Streaks were ready to show University Heights what they are all about. 

The Streaks showed up with grit, determination, and unstoppable energy as they fought an 80-minute battle and came out with the 1-0 victory over Centre College after six rounds of shootouts. 

Coming off a three-game losing streak, the Streaks were hungry for victory. A foul-heavy start to the game gave way to a John Carroll penalty stroke, the first opportunity of the season. Although the Streaks could not capitalize on it, the shots kept coming. The first half of the game ended the same way that it started, 0-0. The Blue Streaks ended the half with 12 shots and three saves. 

As the second half began, the fouls did not slow down. The Colonels were unable to make anything happen off of seven penalty corners. The Streaks were granted four penalty corners, but once again, unable to capitalize. The end of regulation ended with no points on the board, entering overtime with a 0-0 score. 

The game entered a 7 vs. 7 sudden victory overtime. 

Both teams were hungry for a goal. A back-and-forth ten minutes ended with lots of fouls, but no goals. As the game entered its second overtime, the energy didn't stop. The Colonels had multiple breakaway opportunities, but John Carroll's Ellison Hilgendorf was able to shut them down and keep it a tied game. As the second overtime came to an end, the game was still scoreless. 

The game now entered a penalty shootout. The first five attempts were all misses until Centre's Taylor Fuqua was able to get one in the back of the net. Francesca Rao responded and made it a tie game. The shots continued, with John Carroll's Morgan Payne finding the back of the net, with Centre responding immediately after. 

The game was down to sudden-victory at this point. As Sophia Schultheis took the stage, all eyes were on her. A 1 v 1 fight with the goalie ended with Schultheis finding the back of the net, giving John Carroll their first win of the season and in program history. 

The double overtime and penalty shootout ending took hard work and commitment from the Streaks. 

"For overtime, it was really just about keeping them fresh," said Head Coach Gina Stephan. "Thankfully, we have a deep bench that we can pull from. What is really shown in this team is that we do not give up- there is so much drive and perseverance, and that was seen from start to finish."  

This game was a true representation of what John Carroll Field Hockey is all about. 

Head Coach Gina Stephan earned her first win as head coach of the Blue Streaks. 

"We've been working for this moment this entire season, and it all came together today for us,"  said Stephan.  "The team truly was selfless and worked so hard with and for one another. It was an entire team win"

This victory is one for the books for John Carroll Athletics. The grit and determination that was seen throughout this game is what is going to push JCU Field Hockey towards many more victories. 

Next Up

The Streaks are back at home next week as they take on their first game in the NCAC. John Carroll will face DePauw University on Saturday, September 19 in University Heights, OH at 12 PM.