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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Lucy Altieri vs. Pitt 2023
Jose Figueroa
The Blue Streaks won a season opener for the first time since spring 2021.
2
Winner John Carroll JCUW (1-0-0)
0
Fredonia FREDW (0-1-0)
Winner
John Carroll JCUW
(1-0-0)
2
Final
0
Fredonia FREDW
(0-1-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCUW 1 1 2
Fredonia FREDW 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Women's Soccer Kicks Off Campaign with Victory over Fredonia

ERIE, Pa. – While not perfect, the opening match of the 2024 brought a win for John Carroll Women's Soccer.

In fact, it marks the first time that the Blue Streaks have opened a full season with a win since 2019, achieved against the same foe JCU took on today. (JCU started off the COVID-shortened 2021 spring season with a win).

As part of the Herb Lauffer Memorial Women's Soccer Tournament at Penn State Behrend, the Blue Streaks tallied a 2-0 conquest of the Fredonia State Blue Devils, 2-0.

From start to finish, John Carroll stood as the better team, dominating chances and possession. However, the Blue Streaks could not put away opportunities and thus it was a closer match than you might have hoped for. But, a win is a win, especially in the first match of the season.

The women of University Heights peppered the Blue Devils with shots. In fact, over the span of the 14th minute through the 18th minute, Fredonia turned away four shots, three of those on net. 

Not until the 28th minute did the Blue Devils at last get a shot, albeit one that was blocked. Head Coach Michael Marich utilized his bench near the midway mark of the stanza, getting a couple youngsters their first action while bringing on vets such as Gianna Merlo. JCU's pressure continued to build.

The Blue Streaks broke through at last with just over six minutes left in the half. John Carroll sent an initial shot in from the left side, saved by the goalie well. The rebound bounced around, as the Blue Devils tried to clear it a couple of times. But Lucy Altieri muscled her way to the ball and fought to gain control of it around a defender. She right-footed the ball with force, beating the keeper to the left side of the net. It marked the second goal of Altieri's young career. 

The last six minutes of the half elapsed quietly, leaving the Blue Streaks ahead by a single tally at half. JCU owned a 13-0 advantage in shots at the break. 

In the first 12 minutes of the second half, the Blue Streaks bombarded the Blue Devils with shots. Meredith Coloian was responsible for much of the stress for the keeper, with three of JCU's five shots on goal in the span. 

Madeline Martin made her first save in the 59th minute, her blood pressure likely much lower than her counterpart's. The cadence of shots slowed for JCU, but did not stop, as Sara Gennuso fired one right to the keeper in the 77th minute. Nine minutes later, the insurance marker finally arrived.

The Blue Streaks took a corner in the 86th minute, which was promptly cleared. But JCU quickly gathered it on the right side, and hefted a cross-pitch pass. But as Emily Patrzyk gathered it near the edge of the box, a Blue Devil swept out her leg, and the referee called for a penalty kick. The junior deftly nailed the chance for the 2-0 advantage, which stood as the final.

The Blue & Gold finished with a 25-3 margin in shots, including 11-2 on net. The match was very clean with only a combined 5 fouls and no yellow cards. Martin finished with the shutout.

"We struggled to finish at times, but it is very nice to get a win to start the season," said Marich. "Tomorrow will be a good challenge, as Penn State Behrend is a good attacking team that enjoys consistent success. The most important thing now is to rest and recharge for what should be a good test."

The Blue Streaks will face the host Lions tomorrow in a 7:30 pm showdown. Penn State Behrend is indeed a perennial contender in the NCAA Tournament, having won 16 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Championships. 
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