Aleks Quenneville scored her first two career goal in the most important game of the season for the Blue Streaks
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Three first half goals would be more than enough for the John Carroll women's soccer team this afternoon, as a 3-0 shutout over Marietta in the final regular-season game of the year not only earned the Blue Streaks a spot in the OAC Tournament but also handed head coach Tracy Blasius the 100th win of her career.
By virtue of the victory, John Carroll concluded the reular season with nine points, matching the total of Marietta, which began the day in sixth place. JCU claims the tiebreaker with the head-to-head victory.
The Blue Streaks would also hold the tiebreaker advantage in a three-way tie if Heidelberg (which plays Mount Union on Saturday) also finishes the regular season with nine points. Since all three teams own a victory over another (JCU over Marietta, Marietta over Heidelberg, Heidelberg over JCU), the tie is broken by working down the conference standings until an advantage is gained.
JCU earned a 0-0 tie with third-place Baldwin-Wallace (Marietta and Heidelberg both lost to the Yellow Jackets), thus earning the sixth and final playoff berth regardless of the Heidelberg-Mount Union outcome.
The Blue Streaks gained momentum early with a pair of goals in the first 15 minutes of the match by freshman Alex Quenneville. She would open the game in the seven minute mark off a pass by teammate Lauren Marchioni.
The scoring continued as Jenny Samucha threw a pass deep into Marietta territory that deflected off a Pioneer defender. Quenneville pouned on on it and drileld a long shot over the head of the Marietta keeper for the Blue Streaks' second goal.
In the 41st minute it was Elizabeth Diagler who followed in a free kick from teammate Caitlyn Walton and slipped in a close range shot to increase the JCU lead to 3-0.
The Blue Streaks kept the Pioneers scoreless even though Marietta attempted 11 shots. JCU keeper Michelle Zrebiec had five saves in the game to preserve the shutout.
In addition to qualifying for the OAC Tournament, Blasius won her 100th career match as the John Carroll head coach. Blasius is now 100-91-17 in 11 seasons at the helm.
JCU finishes the regular season 6-9-3 overall and 2-4-3 in the OAC. The Blue Streaks will find out which team it will face in the OAC Tournament quarterfinals (which will be played Tuesday, October 30) after the conclusion of league play on Saturday.
Marietta ends its season at 8-8-1 overall and 3-6 in league play.
