Coming into tonight's game, the Blue Streaks were undefeated with close wins against Oberlin and No. 23 ranked University of Rochester. Both games were barn burners and both games had surprise endings.

Tonight's game against the No. 5 ranked Kenyon Lords featured another.

"Especially to beat Kenyon at home in less than a 48-hour turn around after beating Rochester on the road, what more can you ask for," said head coach Hector Marinaro. "The kids put everything on the field three-games straight. We asked a lot out of them and they delivered." 

Seventy-six minutes into a feisty and competitive game between the Blue Streaks and Lords, senior Jarrod McDowell snuck one by Kenyon goaltender Ian McInturf and put JCU ahead 3-2. And they never looked back, except getting there wasn't that easy.

"It felt great. Going up against two top 10 opponents," McDowell said after closing out the game up one score. "It was a really big win for us and we are going to try and keep it going."

Just over 10 minutes earlier, the Lords held a 2-1 lead and carried all of the momentum. Then, in came sophomore Chase Fernkorn, diving his way into the opposing goal crease with the ball at his helm. Moments later the ball trickled in, tying the game.

"To be honest, it was a special moment. I kinda blacked out. I didn't know what was going on," Fernkorn said when describing his goal. "It was a quality ball in. Nigro has been doing what he has been doing all year: putting the ball in the air for a perfect tap-in."

Coming out of the break, Kenyon held the initial 1-0 lead but the Lords' lead was short lived. A familiar face sparked the flame that kept the Blue Streaks season off to a scorching hot start and JCU carried the momentum from there.

In the season opener against Oberlin, John Carroll let the Yeomen score two consecutive goals within the last 21 minutes of game play. Junior Will Turrittin bailed the Blue Streaks out with 31 seconds left in regulation.

In Rochester, JCU gave up yet another lead in the late minutes of the game off a penalty kick. Turrittin saved the Blue and Gold with 35 seconds remaining with a kick of his own and stung the Yellow Jackets — who were ranked No. 4 in one poll and No. 23 in another..

Yet again, Turrittin kept the Blue Streaks undefeated season alive. Lining up from 25 yards out, he stepped back, approached the ball, and drove it up and over the Lords goaltender Ian McInturf in the left hand upper-90.

A picture perfect shot.

"Everyone always says big players step up in big games and I try to fill the role as a big player on this team," said Turrittin. "I am trying to do whatever I can. If it is a free-kick, a PK, it doesn't matter. I want to do whatever I can for this team."

Without Turrittin's goal in each of the past three games, there is no guarantee that JCU's season would remain undefeated following a hard fought battle against Kenyon. His goal sparked three in 16 minutes, edging out the Lords in another close finish. He also added an assist on the second goal.

"He has been huge. I think he is going to be an All-American this year," Marinaro said sternly when commenting about Turrittin's tremendous start. "He is leading the team by example. I am glad he is on my team."
 
The Blue Streaks will look to remain undefeated as they take on Mount Aloysius College on Friday, September 6, at 7 p.m.