UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – Centre men's soccer advanced to the NCAA "Sweet 16" for the first time in program history Sunday, defeating No. 7/9 John Carroll University, 3-1, in second round action at Don Shula Stadium.
The No. 21 Colonels (18-3-1) also saw another record shattered by senior
Alexander Garuba, who claimed both the program's single-season goals (22) and points (50) records in the victory.
The host Blue Streaks (18-3-2) suffered their first defeat in 10 matches, and surrendered three goals for just the second time this season.
HIGHLIGHTS
- John Carroll was riding a six-match shutout streak, but
Will Newton erased that ledger in the 17th minute. His seventh goal of the season came off an assist by Garuba. The helper officially gave Garuba the program's single-season points record, as he passed Ryan Garvey's 46-point 2012 campaign.
- Just minutes later, Garuba teed up Newton again off a set piece, as the junior headed home his second goal of the day to make it 2-0. This assist gave him the SAA single-season points record of 48, one more than Millsaps' Roth Nico (2015).
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Haydon Korfhage made three saves in the opening half, but the Blue Streaks would get a goal back in the 38th minute off a set piece.
- Tension built in the second half as the match teetered in anticipation of another goal.
- Garuba made sure it came from the visitors, as his sliding goal in the 58th minute put momentum firmly on Centre's side. His record 22nd goal of 2019 came off an assist by
Dylan Barth, and moved him past Garvey's 2012 output.
- Korfhage made an incredible diving save in the 72nd minute to preserve the 3-1 advantage, and Centre would hang on to win by the same margin.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre put six of its 13 shots on target, while JCU had four of seven on goal. Newton, Barth and Garuba each finished with three shots.
- Sunday was the first ever meeting between the two programs,
- Centre pushed its win streak to 12 matches – its longest since 1999 – while snapping JCU's 10-match streak.
- The Colonels had two NCAA Tournament victories ever entering this year's postseason, and have doubled that total in one weekend.
UP NEXT
Centre meets No. 13/20 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (16-3-2) next weekend in the NCAA "Sweet 16." The Stags defeated Trinity (Texas) 2-0 in Sunday's second round. The exact date, time and location is still to be determined.
