University Heights, OH – The Heidelberg University women's soccer team traveled to the east side of Cleveland to deal the John Carroll University Blue Streaks a 3-0 defeat on Wednesday night.
 
Junior forward Audrey Kaufman turned in another stellar performance, netting two goals elevating her season total to a team-high 12, fourth best in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
 
In the 14^th minute the Student Princes opened the scoring when Bekah Thomas dashed into the attacking third and flung a cross into the JCU penalty area. A failed clear by Blue Streaks keeper Danielle DelGiudice fell to the feet of Kaufman who laced a half volley hard into the back of the net.
 
Trialing by a goal, John Carroll couldn't find an attacking rhythm, registering just two shots on goal in the first half. Both attempts challenged Berg netminder Meredith Bruce, who finished the bout with seven stops. Heading into the regular season finale, Bruce boasts the second-best save total in the OAC, 118, and an OAC-leading save percentage of .837. The shutout in University Heights marks Bruce's fifth clean sheet performance of the year.
 
Kaufman's brace came three minutes out of the halftime intermission. With the ball at her feet, Kaufman sprinted past a JCU defender, got a touch into space, and fired a curling shot from outside the box. DelGiudice made a diving effort, but couldn't get a hand to it.
 
In the closing 30 minutes, the Blue Streaks tested Bruce multiple times, but couldn't find a breakthrough goal.
 
In the final minute of regulation, Thomas tallied her fourth goal of the year on a counter attack from the Student Princes. A John Carroll corner kick was successfully cleared by the Berg rearguard, and Thomas raced on to it down the sideline. After crossing midfield, the Poland, Ohio native took aim and placed a beautiful strike past DelGiudice who was out of net.
 
Wednesday's 3-0 victory marks the Heidelberg women's first triumph over John Carroll since 2007, and the first win for the Student Princes in University Heights since the storied 1997 campaign. The win moves the Student Princes to 10-6-0 overall, 3-5-0 in OAC play, while the Blue Streaks slide to 7-10-1, 2-6-0 against OAC counterparts.
 
From Head Coach Madalynn McLaughlin:
"This win was huge! We needed it to keep our OAC tournament hopes alive. The ladies played extremely connected and I couldn't be prouder of them. They continue to prove why they deserve to be respected!"
 
Heidelberg women's soccer currently sits in sole possession of 6^th place in the latest OAC standings. A win in the season finale earns the Student Princes an OAC Tournament berth. The Student Princes are also currently 10^th in Region VII.
 
The Heidelberg women return for the regular season finale on Saturday, October 30. The Student Princes host the Fighting Muskies of Muskingum University on the turf of Hoernemann Stadium.
 
Kick off is slated for 1 p.m.