Jose Figueroa

Men’s Soccer Match Preview: #23 John Carroll University vs. Lycoming College

9/21/2024 10:11:00 AM | By: Gianluca DiGiacomo, Staff Writer

Blue Streaks On the Road to Take On Williamsport Foes

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – After being comfortable with three consecutive home matches within the last week, the Blue Streaks are back on the road for a test of strength in Pennsylvania to battle the Warriors of Lycoming College.

After a thrilling contest at Don Shula Stadium on Wednesday against Ohio Wesleyan, the team shifts their priority on a fun weekend out in Pennsylvania, as last night the boys traveled to the Graeca family camp in the woods for a great night of camaraderie before the big challenge today four hours away from University Heights.

Meet the Opposition: Lycoming Warriors

Form
The Warriors have had a hot start to their season thus far, coming into their seventh match of the year with a 5-1 record. The squad opened their campaign with three consecutive wins over Baldwin Wallace, Penn State Behrend, and Mount Aloysius. After dropping a nailbiter 1-0 loss to Case Western Reserve, they bounced back with shutout victories against Misericordia and Rutgers-Newark.

Most notably of the team's form, they have only conceded two goals—looking to continue the momentum they had in 2023 when they tied the conference record for most shutouts in a single season (6).

Meet the Coaching Staff
Warriors Head Coach John Schwien entered his first year at the helm for Lycoming College this season after spending the past two years as an assistant coach at Bucknell University. Before that, Schwien coached for two years at IUPUI. He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Lock Haven University. With an evidently solid resume leading up to his selection, it is no wonder the Warriors are off to a great start.

Not only does Schwien possess a good coaching track record, but his accolades as a player far surpass that. At Cedarville University in Division II, Schwien was a two-time All-American selection, three time All-Conference selection, and a two-time First Team All-Ohio selection.

He continued playing at the semi-professional level after his collegiate career with the Columbus Crew's U23 team, Buxmont Torch FC, and the Dayton Dutch Lions in the USL2. He also holds a USSF "D" Coaching License.

Team Style/Ones to Watch
The Warriors hold a possession-based, patient and calculated style of play, and will likely be the first three-at-the-back team the Blue Streaks will face off against this season. With plenty of charisma and talent scattered about on the pitch, the team is a tough nut to crack.

Defensively sound and eager for dominance in possession, the Warriors are a team that maximizes their time on the ball and chooses their battle wisely. Safe to say it is not a team you want to make petty mistakes against—they will make you pay. They augment the width of the pitch and use it to its fullest extent, while also wreaking havoc in the middle when necessary.

The presences up front of Christian Woobay and Keller Chamovitz are the first line of opposition to deal with, pressing high with intensity through many of their opening matches. Both starting in all six games, they are respectively integral parts of a veteran team, with Woobay comfortably leading the offensive onslaught this season with three goals and three assists, being involved in six of the team's nine goals so far.

The attacking midfielder Owen Magee opens possibilities in the middle of the field, scoring two goals this year against Mount Aloysius and Rutgers-Newark. Another layer of menace behind Woobay and Chamovitz.

The defensive infantry has also been exceptional, with players such as Chris Djadja, Cole Sharpnack, and Christian Barnes holding down the fort for the freshmen keeper Jace Bennett, who has started in all six games so far to complement a formidable 0.889% save percentage.

Your John Carroll Blue Streaks

Form
John Carroll University rises back up to the Top 25 rankings this week, being placed 23rd in the nation after picking up two victories and eight total goals this weekend over Stockton and Trine for McCarthy Weekend. Most recently, Wenzler's Warriors tied a rollercoaster of a battle against Ohio Wesleyan for Dr. Jay Martin's final battle with the Blue and Gold (unless the programs meet in the postseason).

A highly lucrative offense, chemistry continuously developing, and only three goals conceded in seven matches keeps excitement levels going up in their back half of out of conference play.

Meet the Coaching Staff
Athletic Hall of Famer and Head Coach Dejan Mladenovic takes on his fourth season as head coach after 15 years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Through his first three seasons, Mladenovic has captured two OAC Tournament Championships, one OAC Regular Season Championship, and three NCAA Tournament berths to complement a 49-16-8 record. He was inducted into the JCU Athletic Hall of Fame last season for both his playing and coaching careers.

A fun stake of today, Dejan Mladenovic could earn his 50th career win as a head coach, a huge accolade in what will hopefully be a long career at the helm for the Blue Streaks.

Accompanying Mladenovic on the coaching staff are assistant coaches Ante Pilekic (4th year) and Michael Adelman (3rd year), as well as Athletic Trainer Eddie Dobrowolski.

Team Style/Ones to Watch
Wenzler's Warriors bring a strong blend of team chemistry and individual brilliance to the table against each opponent they take on, and the team has been heating up offensively, knocking in 12 goals in the last four games.

Fifth-year attacker Jaden Wright has been the stalwart presence up top for John Carroll, scoring two goals and assisting two more during McCarthy Weekend and causing some havoc against Ohio Wesleyan. Since being moved into the center of the front three, Wright has seen many more dangerous chances to capitalize on. Wingers to compliment him such as Hayden Haffner and Logan Penton make Wright even more dangerous, as well as posing quite the threat themselves.

Midfielder Nicholas Graeca has been another crucial element to the team, serving an instrumental role both on and off the field for John Carroll. His run of form on the offensive end has picked up from the couple of season openers, having a goal involvement in each of the last five games.

Matchup History
This will be the first matchup between these two programs through the 60+ years of establishment for both, one looking to edge out the other for the historical advantage down the line.

Up Next
The Blue Streaks will stay on the road as they plan to take on Case Western Reserve University from DiSanto Field in Cleveland on Wednesday in a battle of local soccer powers, kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile for Lycoming, they will stay at home to host Penn State Harrisburg from UPMC Field at Keiper Stadium on Wednesday, with their kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Where to Follow
Coverage of today's match will be available on @jcusports and @jcumenssoccer accounts on X, Instagram, and Facebook. The stream for the match will be located on flofc.com

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