It was not too early in the Ohio Athletic Conference schedule for John Carroll to be thinking about title implications when it took to Wasmer Field at Don Shula Stadium Wednesday on a misty and chilly evening in University Heights. Already one third of the way through the nine-game slate, and already with one tally in the loss column, every match holds considerable weight for the Blue Streaks if they intend to repeat as conference champions.

Every victory is gold, especially those of the one-goal variety. John Carroll used a Jesse Marinaro score in the 50th minute to hold off Baldwin Wallace, 1-0, in the 45th all-time meeting between the two Cleveland area rivals.

The shutout halted a streak of ten consecutive matches in which Baldwin Wallace had scored at least two goals. JCU has shutout eight of 13 opponents this season.

Both teams had few chances in a scoreless first half, although Baldwin Wallace could lay claim to the best opportunity when Liam McIntosh was pulled too far from his goal 37th minute but the OAC's leading scorer Danny Ruple could not connect from a 25 yards out on the left side, sailing his shot high.

The Blue Streaks got on the board when Marino took a well struck pass from the end line by Thomas Korsa and buried a shot on the right side past a diving Patrick Mehal for the game's lone tally.

Both keepers made great saves over the final 40 minutes to keep the score as is. 

The last chance for the Yellow Jackets came in the 89th minute when David Elsen headed a shot high. 

McIntosh made six saves for JCU while Mehal made seven for Baldwin Wallace.

John Carroll improved to 11-1-1 overall and 3-1 (T-2nd) in the OAC, one game behind first place Otterbein. Baldwin Wallace dropped to 4-8-2 overall and 0-3-1 in league play.

JCU has not lost to Baldwin Wallace since 2010, and has won four in a row since a 0-0 tie in 2012. Prior to tonight, the last two match-ups had resulted in one-goal victories. The same held true in 2017.