The John Carroll University men's team has been a staple in the OAC Tournament championship match in recent history.
 
Behind Brian Potocnik's two goals the 15th-ranked Blue Streaks return to the championship match for the fourth straight year. Different than the other three will be the venue and the opponent.
 
With John Carroll's 2-0 win over Capital on Wednesday afternoon, the Blue Streaks will host the winner of the Baldwin Wallace-Heidelberg match at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. John Carroll had played Ohio Northern in Ada, Ohio in each of the previous three years.
 
"It's a tribute to our seniors quite honestly. Four years in a row they have been in a championship. They worked hard all year to get home field advantage. I told them now you have to take advantage of it because they deserve it."
 
The win for John Carroll, its 17th tied the all-time school record for most wins. The Blue Streaks (17-3) previous won 17 matches in 1993 and 2003.
 
For the first time this season at home the Blue Streaks were held without a goal in the first half. The chances were there. John Carroll could not connect despite an 11-1 shot advantage in the opening stanza.
 
Enter Potocnik.
 
Potocnik scored his OAC-leading 19th goal in the 54th minute. The senior received a lead pass from Karol Boryka and finished off the fast break.
 
The Aurora, Ohio native netted his 20th mark of the season in the 76th minute on a play set up by Jacob Lombardo.
 
"He's been on fire all year long," said Marinaro. "If he's not an All-American, I don't know what an All-American player is. He's led us all year long.
 
"We've played great team defense. I think Jimmy Mattina is an All-American defender. Those two guys have been solid for us."
 
Mattina's heroics prevented a wild finish.
 
The junior came up with a team save in the 89th minute. Capital's Hunter Stiger sent a shot towards the JCU goal but Mattina was able to turn the shot away.
 
Said Marinaro, "He's everywhere. He dominates the back line. He plays good, solid defense."
 
Capital made things interesting with a goal off the foot of Calvin Saunders with 17 seconds remaining in regulation. However, the Crusaders were not able to mount an offensive rush for a potential game-tying shot.
 
John Carroll will be vying for its first OAC Tournament title since 2007.