WAUKESHA, Wis. - The wait is over.
Junior striker Shea Connell (Alfaz Del Pi, Spain) emphasized that point by scoring the winning goal at the 61:26 mark to lead the Carroll University men's soccer team to an emotional 1-0 victory over Elmhurst College in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Schneider Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was the first victory of the season for Carroll, which improved to 1-4 in the conference standings and 1-11-2 overall following the tenacious Senior Day performance. 
The victory took on added significance as it was the first for first-year Carroll head coach Derek Marie, ended a frustrating 15-game losing streak dating back to Oct. 18, 2017 and was the first home-field victory since Sept. 13, 2017.
On the bang-bang game-winning sequence, junior midfielder Peanut Taylor (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) made a high throw in from the right sideline toward the middle of the box.
Moments later, the ball was inadvertently headed toward the goal and abruptly tapped backward by junior forward Austin Schulze (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.). 
Connell quickly charged inside from the right side, seized possession and finished with a hard-lining, crossing shot into the back corner of the net to set off a jubilant celebration on the Carroll sideline.
"We've literally been waiting for this the entire season," said Connell, of his energized game-winning third goal of the season. "Derek (Marie) just told us yesterday that without a doubt this was going to be our day and we would come away with a victory. Over the course of the first half, we were a bit shaky at times but continued to work through the situation. That's when we regrouped at halftime and came out of the locker room ready to go hard for a victory the rest of the way. We just went out there and finished the business at hand.
"Just shortly before the goal, I had been changed to striker so when the ball was flicked back in my direction from my teammate, I just tried to gain control and whacked it as hard as possible. At that point, I was just happy to get the opportunity and luckily it went in. After the ball made it through, I looked back at the refs and when there was nothing the celebration was on."
For Taylor, the long-awaited victory was the result of being patient, believing in the system and most importantly trusting in one another to execute.
"This victory has been a long time coming," said a smiling Taylor, of the game-winning effort. "At the beginning of the season, we put our faith in Derek and he used the example of a  metaphorical bus to show how we were going to ride through the difficult schedule and keep running over the course of the season. Time and time again, we were knocked down but we kept coming back and fighting as a team. It was just a great feeling to be able to finally get the first win. Throughout the day, we had been making long throws on both sides of the field and attempted to take advantage of each possession. On the play, I made a high throw in and Shea did a nice job of gaining position inside and getting a foot on it. My job was to get the pass between the 6-yard line and the goalkeeper in order to give him a chance to finish. Before I knew it, the ball was in the back of the net and we were all celebrating on the side of the field.
"Since we began training back on Aug. 17, we've been working toward this goal. It wasn't only for us, it was for Derek and all of the fans that have shown their support. During the final two minutes, the intensity was at a high level so we knew that they would be throwing everything at us in order to come back. That's when we attempted to step up and did our best to defend to prevent them from scoring to tie the game. To be honest, it was an amazing feeling getting to finish the special day by ringing the victory bell again."
Connell generated two shots on goal with junior defender Issey Valadez (Milwaukee, Wis.), junior defender Mark Bayer (Waukesha, Wis.) and freshman midfielder Jason Sanderfoot (New London, Wis.) each following with one for Carroll, which outshot the Bluejays 9-2 in the contest - maintaining a 5-2 shot-on-goal advantage.
Senior goalkeeper Connor Thompson (Kent, Wash.) registered two saves in playing the entire 90 minutes to preserve a shutout for the Pioneers.
Marie was ecstatic about the way his team continued to play aggressively from beginning to end.
"This victory means everything," said an emotional Marie, of his memorable long-awaited first victory as Carroll head coach (after being doused with water by his players during the post-game celebration. "It's what we have dreamed about since beginning on Aug. 17. It might have taken us a little longer but that only made it even sweeter.
"After starting the season 0-11-2, we remained determined and still continued to focus on improving each day. The way this group fought for the victory and were finally rewarded is a true testament to their character and heart. During the final few minutes, I was on the verge of tears after realizing they were going to finally get what they deserved. From day one, it's never been about me. It's been about the guys and the way they have worked together. At some point, we knew the darkness had to end so it was exciting to finally see the light. I'm extremely proud and truly speechless."
Thompson, injured senior defender Chad Peterson (Mukwonago, Wis.) and senior defender Logan Fletcher (Sparta, Wis.) were honored in a brief pre-game ceremony.