University Heights – October 19, 2010 – The Heidelberg University men’s soccer team, ranked no. 7 in the Great Lakes Region in the latest the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, stays undefeated in the Ohio Athletic Conference as it beat John Carroll University 2-1. The victory earns Heidelberg seven-straight games without a loss.
The Berg advances to 11-3-1 overall, 5-0-1 in the OAC, while the Blue Streaks drop to 10-6, 4-2 in league play.
“It was a good team performance,” head coach Brian Haley said. “John Carroll is not an easy place to win.”
Sophomore Grant Beck (Roanoke, Texas / Keller) scored both of Heidelberg’s goals, coming in the 20:46 and 21:22 marks in the first half. One spectator called Beck’s second goal “sick.”
Beck now has a team-leading eight goals on the season and has earned two-straight game winners.
The Blue Streaks made it interesting with a score in the 80th minute, but Heidelberg’s defense stepped up to clinch the win.
“John Carroll scored in the last 10 minutes and it lifted them a little bit,” Haley said. “We really had to defend well to see the game out. When it’s 2-0, it’s always a dangerous lead. Credit to the whole squad, it was a good team performance, the whole team should take credit with the effort, especially the back four and the goal keeper was very good in the last 15 minutes when we needed them.”
Offensively, Junior Michael Juart (Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Darby) and sophomore Justin James (Grapevine, Texas / Grapevine) each recorded two shots on goal, while senior Gavin McCarthy (Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Darby) and junior Mike Harling (New England, Manchester / Holy Cross) recorded one apiece.
The Berg looks to carry its momentum into the weekend as it travels to Marietta College. The game is slated for Saturday, Oct. 23 at 3:00 p.m.