WHEATON, Ill. – The #18 Carthage College Red Men's soccer team dropped a tough and physical road match Wednesday night at Wheaton College, 4-1.
 
The loss snaps the Red Men's six-game unbeaten streak and three-game winning streak, dropping to 8-5-1, 2-1 in the CCIW.  Carthage was disciplined five yellow yards to Wheaton's two.
 
"Today Wheaton was ready for us from the get go," said head coach Steve Domin.  "We didn't really do that poorly energy-wise, but we spotted them two goals early with some missed assignments and simple give-a-ways... If Wheaton can ever be a trap game it felt that way one the road after a series of emotional matches."

Following 30-plus minutes of back-and-forth possessions and missed opportunities, Wheaton opened the scoring with back-to-back goals in the 33rd and 36th minutes. 
 
Wheaton's first goal came when a no-call led to the Thunder taking possession near the midfield circle.  Wheaton's Marshall Hollingsworth found Tyler Robbins down the left side where Robbins cracked a shot from 12-yards out to the near post that caught the under-side of the crossbar to beat goalkeeper Evan Bott.
 
Three minutes later Wheaton extended the lead to 2-0 as Noah Gulley found Jon Clark on the touchline and played a ball to the center of the box where Marshall Hollingsworth buried a low shot to the left of the diving Bott.
 
The Thunder would take the 2-0 lead into the half as the Red Men forced only one save by the Wheaton goalkeeper through the first 45 minutes.

"We started to build some momentum in the second half but ran into a couple PKs which changed the texture of the game.  Making an adjustment to try an equalize with more players forward so early in the match made us vulnerable in the back and they made us pay," added Domin
 
Wheaton would add to the lead in 72nd minute as Marshall Hollingsworth would put away a penalty kick following a Thunder player was supposedly dragged down in the box.
 
Giles Phillips earned a goal back for the Red Men as he headed a cross from Jake Bukiri off a corner kick back across the face of the goal and into the back post's side netting. The goal was the first career goal for Phillips.
 
Wheaton would add a fourth goal on their second penalty kick of the match in the 90th minute to closeout the scoring.

"Bad timing in not bringing our best result.  We will dust off and get back on track."
 
The Red Men return will return to work Art Keller Field for "Family Weekend", as the Carthage plays host to Augustana College at 2:30 p.m.