LKE FOREST, Ill. – The Carthage College Red Men looked to be back in the win column after a weekend set back to #9 Chicago, however a conceded goal with 15-seconds remaining in regulation forced the men's soccer team to a draw with Lake Forest College on Wednesday, 1-1.
 
The tie moves Carthage to 3-1-1 on the year in non-conference play, while Lake Forest moves to 2-2-1.

"Today was a bit of a trap game for us," said head coach Steve Domin following the match.  "Midweek, following an emotional game against the University of Chicago and being without the services of some key players was really a test for us.

A back-and-forth first half went scoreless despite the Red Men outshooting the Foresters 7-6 and forcing four saves in the half, including a pair of diving saves by the LFC keeper, while Niko Mavrogiannis handled the two which rolled toward him in the opening 45 minutes.
 
"Frankly, we didn't play all that well in the first half but still managed to be in the red area often."
 
As the Red Men have done in every game this season now, Carthage scored first in the game as Johnny Rimkus finished off a connection from Matt Rojel and Freddy Martinez in the 55^th minute to give Carthage a 1-0 lead.
 
"Our goal was exactly what we wanted based on halftime changes," said Domin.  "We made some nice adjustments and really started to play like we are capable.  I was really impressed with Kevin Penarrieta.  Each time he plays he builds a case for playing more and more.  Additionally, Jeff Montemayor and Johnny Rimkus are getting back to form from some preseason setbacks."
 
However, for the second-straight year, Lake Forest would find a way to level the day for the Red Men.  After scoring in overtime last season to defeat the Carthage, the Foresters followed it up today with a goal following a failed clear with 15 seconds remaining in regulation for the 90^th minute equalizer.
 
"Nobody wants to admit it but we had the game in order and surrender a goal with 15 seconds left in regulation on a deflected clear which landed at the feet of Lake Forest attacker… In the big picture, we are hyper young, and very, very competitive right now.  Taking a breath to assess, we lost last year to Lake Forest and probably owned much of the match this year.  We took it on the chin to Chicago last year, and gave them all they could handle this year."

For the game, the Red Men earned a 20-14 edge in shots and 10-8 advantage on target.  Carthage also won the corners battle, 5-2. 
 
The schedule, that the Red Men respect as one of the toughest in the country, won't get any easier this weekend as Carthage travels to Dubuque, Iowa for a second nationally-ranked matchup in as many weeks with a game against #19 Loras College on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
 
"We pride ourselves in an incredibly demanding schedule.  Headed to Loras, followed by UW-Whitewater, and then playing Emory and Berry on the road is maybe the toughest stretch of my career.  Excited to see what it looks like."