KENOSHA, Wis. – The Carthage College men's soccer team fell at home for the first time this season, dropping Friday's match at Art Keller Field to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 3-2, in less than ideal playing conditions.
 
For Carthage (3-4-0) and Whitewater (6-0-0), Friday's match was the opener for each in the 2015 Battle on the Border hosted by Carthage College.
 
The loss marks the third-straight for the Red Men as they continue their non-conference slate.
 
"Seems like we are going through that little period where we play good enough to win, but just can't get the result" said head coach Steve Domin following the loss.  ""Today was a bit odd because we don't often lose at home, but it certainly felt like it was an uphill battle all day." 
 
Carthage the Red Men started off on a postitive note, opening the scoring as Johnny Rimkus used his strength in the air to head home a high cross from Nick Vogel in the 13th minute to give the Red Men an early 1-0 lead.
 
"We really got nice effort goals and particularly Johnny Rimkus's header goal from Nick Vogel" sighted Domin.  "We had good tempo until the game took on more of a boxing match rather than soccer."
 
Carthage and Whitewater combined for seven yellow cards in the match which saw wet conditions, low fog and a 45 minute lightning delay.  Two of Carthage's four cards were disciplined to Filip Dyminski, who was sent off in the 44th minte.
 
"Their direct style and brute-ball was the difference in the end.  We are clearly a possession oriented team which likes to play attractive soccer, but once we went down a man that get really tough to sustain for any period of time."
 
Carthage's early lead was short-lived as Whitewater's 6-8 centerback, Justin Stanko, cracked a 27-yard free kick low and hard that benefited off the wet conditions skipping past a diving Evan Bott.
 
Steve Domin complimented the big back saying, ""Give a credit to their center back, he just wins balls and bangs it forward and his height is a tough defend on situations which really aren't all that dangerous in most matches"
 
Following a Whitewater goal in the opening seconds of the second half to give the Warhawks a 2-1 lead, Shane Reilly scored his third goal of the season in the 49th minute, as his presence paired with the wet conditions, forced a mishandled cross by the goalkeeper which fell to Reilly's feet at the top of the six yard box.
 
However, Whitewater would get the eventual game winner in the 62nd minute as a cross from the right wing found the Warhawks' Jordan Kayser for the go-ahead goal.
 
The 2015 Battle on the Border continues Sunday for Carthage at 3 p.m. when the Red Men will look to get back to their winning ways against Wittenberg University at Art Keller.