Men's Soccer Match Preview: #24 John Carroll University vs. Calvin University
John Carroll Looking to Redeem Themselves in Final Non-Conference Date

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Oh. – With the season hitting the midway point, the John Carroll Blue Streaks want to take care of business back at home to finish non-conference play. Having a stream of bad luck and a lack of results, the team needs that boost to up the morale for the final season in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

A team the Blue Streaks have been dying to sink their teeth into with unfortunate results for the last two years, the game projects to be a highly-anticipated contest.

Meet the Opposition: Calvin Knights

Form
A prestigious Michigan program comes onto Ohio turf with a current record of 5-3 on the season. After losing nine starters, including three All-Americans, the Knights had some adjusting to do. After picking up wins in the opening two contests, the Knights dropped three in a row, and have since come back with three commanding victories.

The Knights have been in great form all across the board, scoring eight goals in the last three games and only conceding one to Mount Union in their most recent game.

Meet the Coaching Staff
Knights Head Coach Ryan Souders has entered his 13th season as head coach at Calvin University. The Wheaton-born and college graduate has accumulated a 207-31-11 record, with an absurd number of accolades. In 13 years, Souders has accomplished an incredible 11 MIAA regular season championships, 8 MIAA tournament championships, and nine trips to the NCAA National Tournament. On top of it all, Souders has won the National Championship on two separate occasions, as well as making four Final Four appearances, and has won the last 17 regular season championships.

From a personal perspective, Souders is a perfect encapsulation of what Calvin looks for in its coaches. "I like to have a bigger picture than just soccer," Souders says. "I want to grow young men for the next place in life…jobs, vocations, families, wherever they may end up…it's all about buying in and investing, competing hard, and trying to get better."

Team Style/Ones to Watch
Given a team of Calvin's caliber, and their ability to reach that level on a consistent basis begs the question; what is the secret ingredient? Head Coach Ryan Souders hands it simply to staying true to themselves and playing their game. "We strive to play the game the way it was intended; it's not about coming in with a completely different game plan every game…it's about playing our game better than our competitors play theirs."

The Knights enjoy playing a fast-paced, dynamic game, adapting and maximizing their talent to the fullest extent possible. With nine starters from last season (including three All-Americans) departing, it has been a matter of flying a plane while building it in some cases for the program.

Senior Alex White can be considered one of the heart and souls of the Calvin machine, playing in the center with a tremendous bit of flair, intensity, and most importantly, passion. Coming off of a seven-goal, twelve-assist season last year, White is already off to a hot start with four goals and two assists through eight games.

On the wings, the pairing of Jonah Meyer-Crothers and Foster Garrett give a very well-versed perspective on the wing, aiding in offensive and defensive responsibilities.

The back also possesses great experience, with graduate student Reed Vanderlugt and senior Jacob Goodling holding down the fort.

Your John Carroll Blue Streaks

Form
The #24 John Carroll Blue Streaks head into their final non-conference game with a 5-2-2 record. Despite being red hot after their tough loss at home to Kenyon College, the team has been in tough times lately; their last three results being a draw to Ohio Wesleyan, a scoreless draw in Williamsport to Lycoming, and most recently dropping another game Case Western Reserve.

Despite the slump, the team has posed vastly more motivation since Wednesday, wanting to get back on track as quickly as possible.



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 49-17-9 record to date. 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 will be aiming to pick up their offensive momentum after being shut out in back-to-back games for the first time since late September of 2019.

Of course with the lack of production in the attacking third, much of the hopes lays in the preliminary front three of Hayden Haffner, Logan Penton, and Jaden Wright, who will strive to get back on common terms in attacking efficiency.

Similar to the last game, the midfield battle will be fierce for the evening, with workhorses on both sides of the ball, the likes of Nicholas Graeca, Guilherme Wanderley, and Nick Mikulec will be putting in overtime shifts respectively to neutralize the firepower Calvin will have roaming around the center of the park.

From the back, goalkeeper Brenden Moher will be returning to action after battling a concussion since the Carnegie Mellon game at the beginning of the month, while the first-year Louis Roseberry will get his third start. Roseberry has impressed since his time in the starting lineup, with plenty of momentum offensively with a great workrate and mental game.

Matchup History
As it stands, the John Carroll Blue Streaks hold a 2-4 record historically against Calvin University. After splitting a 2-2 record, the Knights have won both of the games two have played against one another in the last two years. In 2022, a fierce battle was brought to a screeching halt courtesy of a header from Knights legend Christopher Schau with four minutes remaining.

Last year in Grand Rapids, the Blue Streaks lost with an offensive masterclass display from Calvin, the Knights picking up a 5-3 to give the Blue Streaks the most goals conceded in a single game since 2014.

John Carroll's last win over their opposition tonight was in the NCAA Tournament all the way back in 2017.

Up Next
John Carroll have some rest time before they begin their venture into the final season in the Ohio Athletic Conference next Saturday in New Concord when they take on Muskingum University.

Meanwhile, the Knights will have two more non-conference games, starting with the University of Chicago on Wednesday back on their home turf.

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 jcusports.com and OAC TV.

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