MEQUON, WIS.—The Carthage College men's lacrosse team ended their 10-day hiatus from competition with a road bout against Concordia University (Wis.) at Fitting Field in Mequon, Wisconsin on Tuesday. Both teams were nearly even in every statistical category, but it was Concordia (Wis.) who prevailed with an 11-7 victory in their backyard.
 
"We showed signs of promise from start-to-finish, but didn't respond at the most crucial times," said Red Men head lacrosse coach David Neff. "You can look at things such the layoff, or having to play five-straight games on the road, but good teams overcome those obstacles and we didn't do that today. I give a lot of credit to Concordia's goalkeeper, who played a heck of a game."
 
Red Men goalkeeper Zerik Rodriguez posted a season-high 10 saves in the complete-game loss, but it was Falcons net minder Grant Wohlford who registered 14 saves in the contest.
 
Andy Szun paced all scorers in the contest with a hat trick and one assist, while Brody Ilstrup, Ben Morgan, Colin Poitras and Ethan Flight each tallied goals. Ilstrup led all players in the game with 11 shots. Joe Poremba and Liam O'Connor powered the Carthage defense with a pair of caused turnovers en route to a team total of nine, but it was Concordia (Wis.) who provoked 13 of their own. Paul Fisher nearly kept his NCAA Division III-leading 4.57 caused turnovers prior to Tuesday intact with four against the Red Men.
 
Andy Meyers controlled the tempo with a 15-of-22 mark in the face-off circle, while the Falcons only mustered a 7-of-22 figure.
 
Stephen Gregory and Keijo Day commanded the Concordia offense with three goals apiece. 
 
The Falcons had the upper-hand in shots (30-29) and saves (14-10), but Carthage edged them in ground balls (24-22). The Red Men's record stands at 6-2, 0-0 CCIW while Concordia ups their mark to 4-4, 1-0 MLC.
 
Concordia (Wis.) 11, Red Men 7
 
Carthage's lone lead of the contest occurred at the 6:18 mark of the first quarter when Colin Poitras's goal made the score 2-1. The Falcons responded with a 3-0 run to take the lead for good at 4-2 with 10:47 remaining in the second quarter. The Winnipeg connection cut Carthage's deficit to 4-3 with 2:51 left in the second frame when Szun converted on a goal assisted by Poitras.
 
The Falcons outshot Carthage 11-6 in the third quarter, which powered their 3-0 run that gave them a 7-3 lead heading into the final 15:00. The Red Men came back and outshot Concordia 8-5 in the fourth quarter which produced four goals, but Concordia (Wis.) matched that total in the frame to secure an 11-7 victory.
 
The Red Men will return to Art Keller Field for the first time in a month against Northland College on Saturday, March 24 at 1:00 p.m.