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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
0
Capital CAP (0-1-0, 0-0-0)
3
Winner John Carroll JCU (1-1-0, 0-0-0)
Capital CAP
(0-1-0, 0-0-0)
0
Final
3
John Carroll JCU
(1-1-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Capital CAP 0 0 0
John Carroll JCU 1 2 3
Men's Soccer celebration photo vs. Capital 8-31-25
Peter Wangechi

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

Men's Soccer Explodes for 3 Goals in Awesome Home Win over Capital

The Blue Streaks' relentless aggression paid off in a big way

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – Aggression paid off on Sunday for John Carroll Men's Soccer.

The Blue Streaks found a spark while playing without fear, burying the Capital University Comets in a revenge match following last year's loss in the conference tournament. 

With the field largely tilted in JCU's favor much of the way at Don Shula Stadium, the Blue Streaks roared for a 3-0 thrashing of the Comets, the first victory of the year for the Wenzler's Warriors after a tough 1-0 loss to Edgewood on Friday. 

"I am very happy with today's performance. I think the guys came in and did a professional job, in terms of the details and scenarios," Head Coach Dejan Mladenovic '06, '25G said. "For a young team that doesn't have much experience, it's very refreshing to see how hard they are working, in terms of listening to what to execute and how to get better every day. The difference between the two games wasn't really much. I think it boils down to making mistakes this past Friday that we got punished for and today we didn't make mistakes. We took advantage of the mistakes on our end and we didn't do that Friday night."

The Blue Streaks looked strong in the early going, with some through balls realizing a pair of promising chances. Though things did not connect for any shots on goal.

Mladenovic turned to the bench for the first time in the 24th minute, with Zalan Onodi checking into the match. Overall, it was a younger lineup, with two first years starting and six seeing action throughout the contest.

Massucci's grind-it-out approach paid off in the 36th minute. The senior pushed a Comet off the ball near midfield, allowing Rafa De La Barrera to pickpocket Capital. The first year galloped down the right flank and soon sent it in to Massucci. The pride of JCU Equipment turned, his spin move sending a Comet to the floor. Massucci then beat the keeper with a left-footed beauty.

The much-needed tally seemed to take a weight off the Blue Streaks, putting an exclamation mark on a half mostly owned by JCU. 

"We fought hard to win the ball defensively, I won it, got it outside to Rafa, and he played me a beautiful ball," said Massucci. "I took a great touch and shot it. It was a good defensive structure from us."


The soccer gods smiled on John Carroll after it seemed poor luck had haunted them in many previous matches. De La Barrera sent in a corner kick backpost, and while the Capital netminder leaped to grab it, he could not secure it. The ball bounced to Luka Pranjeta, who tapped it in the net easily for the goal. The referees conferred and confirmed the goal, thus granting JCU a 2-0 lead.

The hosts maintained their aggressive pose, with De La Barrera sending in another beautiful ball to Massucci in the 56th minute, which Capital turned away. Not more than a minute later, Nick Mikulec sent a dangerous shot wide. 

In the 65th minute, JCU's relentless work again paid off. Carter Adams stole a ball away from a Comet and sent it ahead to Harley Forkins. The Lake Catholic grad made a turn and drew a foul in the box for a penalty kick. The first year converted it with ease for his first collegiate tally. 

John Carroll pressed the advantage much of the way, never allowing Capital to gain any momentum while threatening several times. JCU finished with a whopping 17-2 shot advantage, 8-0 in shots on goal. 

The Blue Streaks dominated from start to finish overall, showing a newfound confidence that will hopefully carry into the rest of the season. Without a doubt, it was an impeccable triumph. 

"Tough loss on Friday to start the year, everyone was down and we weren't happy, but it was a great bounce back win here," Massucci said. "And we'll be ready for Thursday."

"With us, we're trying to get better every day, in terms of where we are at with this young squad, the coaching staff is very pleased with the work rate and their attention to detail," said Mladenovic. "We have to get back to work on Tuesday and keep going with this momentum heading in the right direction."

Next Up
The Blue Streaks will confront the Bethany Bison on Thursday at Don Shula Stadium in a 7 pm match as the Wenzler's Warriors Game. 
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Scoring Summary

Scoring Summary
Scoring Team Scoring Play
35:23
JCU Andrew Massucci (1)
Assisted By: Rafa De La Barrera
GOAL by JCU Massucci, Andrew Assist by De La Barrera, Rafa.
49:07
JCU Luka Pranjeta (1)
GOAL by JCU Pranjeta, Luka.
64:33
JCU Harley Forkins
JCU Harley Forkins PENALTY KICK GOAL.

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