Capital CAP (7-8-4, 5-3-1)

John Carroll JCU (12-6-2, 6-3-0)

Capital CAP

(7-8-4, 5-3-1)

Final

Nov. 05, 2024

John Carroll JCU

(12-6-2, 6-3-0)

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Capital CAP	0	1	1
John Carroll JCU	0	0	0

Summary
Box Score

Jose Figueroa

The defeat marks John Carroll's earliest postseason exit in some time.

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | 11/5/2024 9:30:00 PM | Jack Stephens, Staff Writer

Men's Soccer Bounced by Capital at Home in OAC Tournament Quarterfinal

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS — In the quarterfinal round of the Ohio Athletic Conference, the #5 seed Capital Comets defeated the #4 seed John Carroll Blue Streaks, 1-0.

Coming off of back-to-back one goal losses to Otterbein and Ohio Northern, the Blue Streaks were looking to regain their spark in their first round matchup against the Comets. Last season, these two teams faced off in the same round, and it was the Blue Streaks squeaking out a 2-1 win in double overtime.

This time, it was the Comets, using a late goal to avenge their postseason loss from a year ago in a heartbreaker in the final contest for John Carroll Men's Soccer as a member of the OAC.

This loss for John Carroll marks the first time since 2009 that the squad has failed to reach the OAC Tournament Semifinal, and the first time the Blue Streaks have lost to Capital in regulation in postseason play, tonight being the ninth meeting.

It was the Blue Streaks on the hunt in the first few minutes looking to get ahead, as senior forward Jaden Wright was tasked with a long throw-in. It was a great ball into the box but the shot by sophomore Luka Pranjeta sailed just over the bar. Shortly after, a failed corner and a saved shot from senior Logan Penton ended the JCU threat. The Blue Streaks would get another opportunity off a corner, junior Nathan Monastra attempted the shot that would go outside the left post for another Comet goal kick.

The Blue Streaks continued to be on the hunt, as senior Nicholas Graeca took a deep shot going for the top corner, but Capital freshman goalkeeper Noah Thomas made an incredible effort to tip the ball off the crossbar, to keep JCU scoreless.

The physicality of the first half continued as both teams held each other scoreless, with limited opportunities. John Carroll finally broke through in the 33rd minute as Pranjeta once again got through and attempted a shot that hit the post, but unfortunately it was cleared by Capital to end the Blue Streak attack. Another missed shot from Wright and a save by Thomas concluded the half deadlocked at zero.

The Blue Streaks were all around on the offensive third, outshooting the Comets, 8-3, with four shots on goal.

John Carroll started the second half continuing to pepper the goal. Graeca lined up a shot 47 seconds into the second frame that was barely wide of the post. The Comets answered with an attack of their own that would be well-defended and cleared by the Blue Streaks without giving up a shot attempt. The back-and-forth affair during the beginning of the second half continued, as Wright tried his second shot of the game, and once again Thomas saved it over the bar.

Another scoring opportunity presented itself in the 70th minute, but once again, the Comets snuffed it out. Chances were limited for both teams, as they combined for five total shots with ten minutes to go in the game, so both squads were hungry to find the back of the net.

It was the Comets who would finally break the ice with under 10 minutes to play. Junior Jacob Deever, Capital's leading goal scorer, from just outside the box bending into the right side of the goal to put Capital in front.

John Carroll, in desperate need of an equalizer, attacked for the final ten minutes, but Capital hung strong and survived, to advance to play Mount Union in the next round. The Blue Streaks had their chances, outshooting the Comets 17-10 on the game, with seven shots on goal to Capital's three, but the goal from Deever was the difference and too much to overcome for JCU.

The Blue Streaks conclude the season 12-6-2, with a 6-3 regular season record in conference play. John Carroll says goodbye to a lot of key pieces due to graduation, but they will also return a few great contributors to this team.

So as one chapter concludes, another opens for the Wenzler Warriors next fall in their 61st season.

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