ADA, Ohio – The Carthage College men's soccer team (11-7-3, 4-2-1 CCIW) opens the 2015 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship on Thursday, November 12^th at 6:00 p.m. EST with their first round regional matchup against Ohio Northern University.
 
Tonight's match against the Polar Bears will take place at Ohio Northern's Kerscher Stadium in Ada, Ohio.
 
The Red Men placed third in the regular season of the CCIW, earning them a spot in the conference tournament. Carthage upset the No. 2 seed Elmhurst College 10-9 on PK's which earned them a spot in the CCIW Championship match against North Central College, who upset the No. 1 seed Wheaton College in PK's, 5-4. Carthage beat the Cardinals of North Central in regulation 3-1 to win the CCIW Tournament and earn the conference's automatic bid into the 2015 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.
 
The 2015 season is the third time in program history that the Red Men have qualified for the NCAA Championship, all under the leadership of head coach Steve Domin. Carthage fell to Washington (Mo.) 2-1 in the first round in 2006 and came up short to Calvin 1-0 in the first round in 2010.
 
The Polar Bears of Ohio Northern hold a record of 17-4-1, 8-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference and are currently ranked No. 24 in the Nov. 10^th NSCAA Coaches Top 25 Poll. This is the Polar Bear's eighth NCAA tournament appearance in program history.
 
Giles Phillips captured the honor of CCIW Newcomer of the Year for the 2015 season and was also named to the CCIW first team all-conference. Also earning first team all-conference honors are Ivan Chavel and Johnny Rimkus. Austin Bitta was named second team all-conference.
 
Admission for Thursday's match is $6 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens and $2 for ages 3-12. Live stats and video links can be found on the Red Men's schedule or on today's game day information page.
 
The winner will travel to No. 11 Loras College Sunday, November 15^th for their second round match.