KENOSHA, Wis. – The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Men's Soccer Tournament's top seed, Carthage College, cruised to a victory over Illinois Wesleyan University on a wet Wednesday night at Art Keller Field 3-1.
 
The win advances Carthage to the conference championship match at 17-3 overall while the Titans fall to 9-8-1.
 
Jeff Montemayor opened the scoring for the Red Men in 10th minute as a long throw by Jamie Tausend was failed to be cleared by the Illinois Wesleyan backline and fell to Montemayor on the back post who slotted it home for the 1-0 lead.
 
Just two minutes later Giles Phillips made it 2-0 with a header from off an in-swinging corner from Austin Bitta that Phillips was able to place over Illinois Wesleyan goalkeeper Alex Ruckstaetter.
 
Austin Bitta added a third goal off a penalty kick in the 15th minute after Jamie Tausend's cross was knocked down by the hand of a sliding defender in the box.
 
Illinois Wesleyan cut the Carthage lead to 3-1 two minutes after the Red Men went down to 10 men as Patrick Hickey head home the Titans lone goal of the game. 
 
From there the Red Men were able to defend the Titan attack as the back five of Montemayor, Phillips, Tausend, Matt Rojel, Adrian Herrera and winning goalkeeper Brayan Arce Justiniano held the score at 3-1 for a final.
 
The win advances Carthage to the CCIW Championship set for Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at Art Keller Field.  Carthage's opponent will be determined tomorrow after the Wheaton College at North Park University game was postponed until Thursday due to weather.