Box Score In the see-saw match that took place Tuesday night at Don Shula Stadium, the John Carroll women's soccer team teetered on the brink but ultimately survived to pull oiff a dramatic 1-0 victory in double overtime over visiting Grove City College.
Playing in their last non-conference match before conference play is scheduled to begin, and in the final game of their three game home stand, the Blue Streaks were looking to extend their unbeaten streak to six against a Wolverines squad desperate for a goal let alone a win. Grove City had not scored since September 13 – a span of four complete matches and 450 minutes.
The Blue Streaks were coming off of a double overtime draw versus Case Western Reserve and would need two extra periods again to decide this one. John Carroll would win the game in the 103rd minute on a beautiful strike from outside the box by sophomore
Andrea Regrut, who was assisted ona well executed layoff by junior assisted by
Danielle Sharbaugh.
The goal was Regrut's second of the year and of her career, and both have been game winners.
Trying to start quick, both teams were very active in the opening minutes of this one getting multiple shots off within the first ten minutes.
Senior
Haley McDonald was fantastic yet again, saving 14 shots on goal in the process of collecting her fourth shutout of the year and her third in a row.
McDonald came up with a few huge saves to keep the game knotted up at 0-0 before Regrut was able to find the back of the net in the second overtime period. One of her biggest saves was also her first save of the night. In the 4th minute, Sarah Flenniken of Grove City had an open look at the goal, ripped one from about 10 yards out but was denied by a diving McDonald. Flenniken got the rebound but missed wide.
Grove City, who outshot the Blue Streaks 22-19 (14-7 on goal shots), dominated much of the attack and possession late in the first half and for much of the second half, but McDonald was able to keep them silent.
John Carroll seemed to regain their form late in regulation, and that confidence carried through the extra periods until Regrut sent the home crowd home happy.
"(This win) gives us great confidence going into Ohio Northern and conference play," said Regrut. "They're a great team and we will have to bring our 'A' game."
John Carroll head coach Mike Marich acknowledged his team suffered through a long period of frustration in the middle of the match, but efforts like tonight are why they play a rugged schedule.
"(We) try to schedule a tough non-conference schedule to get ready for a tough conference schedule," said Marich. "Grove City is far better than its record., They have played tough against nationally ranked teams like Carnegie Mellon and Messiah in recent weeks. Winning in overtime was good for us, giving us the confidence we need to start conference play."
John Carroll, which improved to 6-2-1 on the season, will travel to Ada, Ohio, on Saturday to take on the Ohio Northern Polar Bears (4-4-1) in the first conference game of the season for both squads. Grove City fell to 1-8-1 with the loss.
