Even a water-drenched Wasmer Field could not wash out the Blue Streaks.

The John Carroll University Blue Streaks have not fallen on the short end of the stick since September 28th, a 2-0 loss at Fredonia. Since then, the Blue and Gold has now won five of their last six contests, one of which was a tie. The upward trend would continue in the right direction thanks to another winning effort with three games remaining on the 2016 regular season slate.

JCU took care of the visiting Otterbein Cardinals by a score of 2-1 on Tuesday evening from Don Shula Stadium in University Heights, OH. With the win, the team's record improves to 8-5-2, and 5-0-1 OAC to remain in sole possession of first place with three matches to play.

The last time the Blue Streaks lost in an OAC regular season conference battle was back on October 24th 2015, a 2-1 defeat suffered to the Capital Crusaders.

The major headline of the first 15 minutes of the game was not the play of each respective OAC program. Rather, it was the torrential downpour of rain that caught the attention of a moderately sized stadium crowd.

The slippery conditions and heavy precipitation made it difficult for players to grip the playing surface and edge past their competition on offensive breakaways. With few opportunities and stingy defense from both sides, the game remained tied 0-0 at the intermission. JCU outshot their competition 5-2 while Otterbein was favored in the saves department with a 2-1 advantage after 45 minutes of game action.

More of the same defense was showcased through the first 10 minutes of the second half until sophomore Chad Kanakkanatt scored his first career collegiate goal on just his second shot of the campaign (third career shot). Utilizing a Jacob Lombardo pass up the central portion of the field in transition, Kanakkanatt fired a line-drive kick through the upper left portion of the net, just pass the outstretched gloves of the opposing goalkeeper.

The sophomore out of Akron, OH and St. Vincent St. Mary High School had only logged action in seven games this year with one start entering play on Tuesday. Lombardo notched his team-leading fourth assist in what proved to be the decisive goal of the contest.

Six minutes later and the Blue Streak offense had returned to the scoring column courtesy of junior Jesse Marinaro's fifth goal of the season. Assisting on the play was the duo of Kanakkanatt and freshman Hayden Parente, each earning their first and third helper respectively.

The 2-0 lead would hold until the final 65 seconds of the contest. when Zach Barwick assisted Gavin Koerner in a flurry in front of the net for the lone Otterbein score. The one goal advantage was in no danger of being lost in the final minute of regulation with JCU maintaining offensive possession.

Sophomore goalkeeper Liam McIntosh came within a minute of earning his sixth shutout of the season, but the late score negated that opportunity. McIntosh made a critical save off a goal kick in the latter half of the second period keeping the two-goal lead intact.

Historically, the Blue Streaks are 20-10-2 against the Cardinals, with tonight's win the 12th in a row in the series dating back to a loss in the 2004 campaign.

Senior night is the next order of business for head coach Hector Marinaro and company this Saturday in an OAC clash with Capital at 7 PM from Don Shula Stadium.