UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS — The Blue Streaks delivered an outstanding performance on Thursday night in University Heights, edging out the Capital Comets with a narrow 1-0 victory in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinal.
This matchup marked the 10th postseason clash between John Carroll University and Capital University in women’s soccer, and notably, it was the first time these two teams faced off in University Heights during OAC Tournament play. After receiving a well-deserved bye in the quarterfinals, the #2 seed Blue Streaks came into the match eager to break a two-game winless streak, ready to take on the #3 seeded Capital Comets.
Meredith Coloian showcased her clutch ability, netting the decisive game-winning goal in the closing moments of an intense match.
The Blue Streaks came out strong, with Madyson Rosado aggressively pushing the offense in the first two minutes, serving a cross and taking two shots that narrowly missed their target. In the 10th minute, Emma West unleashed a shot on goal that was expertly saved by Capital’s goalkeeper, Liv Alford.
After a near miss by Bella Leonetti of Capital in the 15th minute, John Carroll seized control of the match, creating a series of promising opportunities. Abby Smith delivered an exceptional cross after sprinting down the sideline, setting up Meredith Coloian, whose powerful strike hit the post in the 18th minute. Following that close call, Rosado made another impressive play, delivering a phenomenal pass to Abby Smith, who narrowly missed a breakaway, shooting just wide as the goalkeeper advanced to challenge her.
Capital threatened again in the first half when Taylor Marcum connected with a corner kick, but Madeline Martin managed to tip the ball safely over the net, preserving the scoreless tie. The Blue Streaks quickly retaliated offensively, with Smith taking a shot in the 34th minute that drifted just left of the net. Rosado continued her productive outing, striking a shot that was captured by Alford just two minutes later.
Capital regained some offensive momentum in the 39th minute when Bella Leonetti took another corner kick that caused a flurry of activity in the box before being cleared by Martin. A follow-up corner from Ryanne Michel was back-heeled but quickly gathered by Martin. A minute later, Grace Estes unleashed a shot on goal that was expertly saved by Martin once again.
After a competitive first half with momentum changing hands frequently, the score remained locked at 0-0.
To kick off the second half, Abby Smith sent a looping cross that was smoothly collected by Alford in the 47th minute. The first great opportunity of the second half materialized in the 50th minute when Avery Hart almost converted after exploiting a lapse from Martin, but she missed a wide-open net.
In the 51st minute, Jennifer Crowley surged into Capital’s territory after a loose ball emerged from a chaotic sequence near the net, launching a strong shot that Alford saved. After a brief lull in scoring chances, the late moments of the second half saw a flurry of activity, with shots on net coming from both Kathryn Shaffer and Coloian.
With both teams exchanging possession and shots, the Blue Streaks began to take control as they mounted a final push in the closing minutes of the match. A shot just wide by Coloian was quickly followed by attempts from both Smith and Taylor Kuhn. Shortly thereafter, Coloian capped her energized second half with a goal, following a chaotic moment when a previous shot by Rosado was blocked.
“We knew at this time of the game, we just needed one,” Coloian remarked. “My teammates gave me a great opportunity and I am thankful enough to score and get ready to play a great game on Saturday.”
John Carroll encountered a few anxious moments in the waning minutes as Capital desperately sought to turn the tide and prolong their season, but their efforts proved to be too little too late, allowing the Blue Streaks to secure the victory with a final score of 1-0.
Up Next
The Blue Streaks advance to the OAC Championship, where they will battle Ohio Northern in Ada, Ohio on Saturday.
**Interview with John Carroll Blue Streaks Head Coach: Reflecting on the Win Against Capital Comets**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today. First off, congratulations on the victory against Capital University! It was quite a nail-biter. How do you feel about the team’s performance in the match?
**Coach:** Thank you! I’m really proud of the girls. They played with determination and heart throughout the match. It was great to see how they bounced back from that two-game winless streak, especially since this was such a crucial playoff game.
**Interviewer:** Meredith Coloian’s late goal was the game-winner. Can you talk about her impact on the field and what that goal meant for the team?
**Coach:** Absolutely, Meredith has been fantastic for us all season long. Her ability to remain calm under pressure really paid off when it mattered most. Scoring that decisive goal in the closing moments was critical, and it boosted the team’s morale significantly. It was a true testament to her hard work and composure.
**Interviewer:** In the early minutes of the game, Madyson Rosado was particularly aggressive. How important is her energy to the team’s offensive strategy?
**Coach:** Madyson brings a level of intensity that’s infectious. Her aggressive play right out of the gate sets the tone for the rest of the team. It opens up opportunities for our other players and keeps our opponents on their toes. She did a great job creating chances and putting pressure on their defense.
**Interviewer:** The first half seemed to be a back-and-forth affair with several close calls on both sides. How did you strategize to maintain that momentum going into the second half?
**Coach:** We emphasized staying composed and sticking to our game plan during halftime. I wanted the players to focus on controlling possession and capitalizing on our chances. We knew that if we kept pressing, more opportunities would come, and it was about executing when it mattered.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, how does this victory set the team up for the rest of the tournament?
**Coach:** This win is huge for us in terms of confidence. It not only gets us into the finals but also shows the girls what they’re capable of when they play as a unit. We will carry this momentum forward, analyze our opponent, and prepare accordingly. The goal is to keep playing our game and aiming for that championship.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, and good luck in the finals! It’s always exciting to see how teams evolve through the tournament.
**Coach:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and look forward to an exciting matchup ahead.
