Box Score SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The Carthage College men's soccer team capped off a busy weekend on the west coast Sunday with a dominant 3-1 victory over the University of California-Santa Cruz Banana Slugs.
 
Carthage, who is currently ranked #25 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America top-25 and fourth in the central region, move to 10-3-0 on the year, while dropping the Banana Slugs to 3-8-1.

"It's always difficult to go on the road and beat teams at their house. UCSC was no exception," said head men's soccer coach Steve Domin.  "These few days were incredibly important to our team which is hard to express into words.  Between Stanford, the University of San Fransisco, San Jose State University and UC-Santa Cruz, we cannot thank them enough."
 
Johnny Rimkus opened the scoring in the early moments as he was on the receiving end of a cross from Jeff Montemayor that Rimkus flicked inside the back post for the 1-0 lead. 
 
The Red Men added to the lead in the 30th minute as Austin Bitta curled in a corner to the near post where Freddy Martinez redirected it inside the front post and the goalkeeper.

"It was nice to see Freddy and Johnny score using their head, which is always a big part of our game."
 
Carthage's defense was virtually impenetrable as the Red Men's backline of Giles Phillips, Jamie Tausend, Matt Rojel, Jeff Montemayor and Erik Boese limited the Banana Slugs to just four shots and forcing goalkeeper Brayan Arce Justiniano into three saves.  One of which was a true test off a one-on-one situation.

"Interestingly enough, without the services of a few guys we were able to hold serve with an entire teams effort.  It's great that we were able to play every available player that made the trip," noted Domin.  "Clearly Bitta, Ivan and our back line were up to the task."
 
Carthage pushed it to a three goal lead early in the second half as Bitta found himself on the receiving end of a cross from the left sideline that Bitta trapped a on his second touch blasted to the side netting of the far post.
 
Carthage returns to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action Wednesday as the Red Men head to Chicago to face North Park University for a 7:00 p.m. match.