UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – Capital University's men's soccer team played on the road at John Carroll in the first round of the OAC tournament on Tuesday evening, falling with just 19 seconds left in overtime by a final score of 2-1. 

The Comets conclude their first season under interim head coach Frank Speth with an overall record of 10-7-1. The season marked a five win improvement from the 2022 season that saw the team win just five games that year. 

John Carroll advances with a record of 13-5-1 and will travel to No. 1 ranked Otterbein University on Thursday, November 2nd. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets snagged a 1-0 lead with 51 seconds left in the first half thanks to Mujahid Abdel-Ghani. Abdel-Ghani drifted into the penalty area and lashed a left footed shot to the roof of the net off a cross from Jack Kossoudji. Jack Francisco got a helping touch on the cross as it came through the area, allowing Abdel-Ghani to smash the ball home for his second goal in University Heights this season. 

The lead carried into the break and the Comets held the edge heading to the final 45 minutes. 

Despite the lead for the Comets, the defense was whistled for a foul approximately 25 yards from goal. JCU's Brendan Swann stepped up to the free kick and buried his shot to the upper left corner of the net, tying the game at 1-1 in the 50th minute of play. 

The tied score would remain through regulation, despite the Blue Streaks having the greater number of offensive tries. 

With the tied score, overtime would be called upon to decide a winner. In the extra period of time, JCU again kept up the pressure, but the Comets kept the Blue Streaks comfortably at bay. With all the pressure, the hosts got a corner kick with less than half a minute left in the second period of overtime. On the service into the box, JCU's Steven Samuelson got a head on the ball and his header deflected off Ethan Ogden's hand and into the roof of the net to put JCU ahead 2-1 with just 19 seconds remaining. 

THE NUMBERS
Mujahid Abdel-Ghani's goal was his third of the season and the sixth of his career. 

Jack Kossoudji's assist marked the ninth of the year for the Comets' leading scorer. He finishes his career with 29 goals and 12 assists for 70 points. 

Jack Francisco's assist was his second this season and the 14th helper of his career. He ended his illustrious career with 22 goals and 14 assists for 58 points. 

Tonight's contest marked the final contest in the careers of seniors Abdel-Ghani, Kossoudji, Francisco, Jarrett Puckett, Alex Moore, Kellen Sargent and student assistant coach Austin Bealer.