ELMHURST, Ill. — The Carthage men's soccer team fell in a heartbreaker on the road 2-1 at Elmhurst on Wednesday night at Langhorst Field.

Just over nine minutes into the game, the Firebirds (11-6-2, 2-4-1 CCIW) nearly scored off a throw-in as Colin Iverson connected for a header that was grabbed by the keeper. Moments later, Mickey Reilly almost broke the 0-0 stalemate as he fired from the far side of the net, just missing the pole as the Bluejays (8-7-2, 4-3-1 CCIW) goalkeeper secured the ball in time. The teams would head to the locker rooms for halftime in a 0-0 draw.

However, early in the second half, a Carthage throw in got the ball within the home team's box, as Joe Balas turned and sent the ball off the crossbar, before Reilly ran in to send it past the goal line to make it 1-0. The Bluejays would tie the match at one off of a header on a free kick.

With six minutes remaining, the Firebird defense attempted to clear a ball in front of their goal, before a Elmhurst forward just snuck the ball into the net to take the 2-1 lead late.

Carthage is set to finish up their regular season this Saturday, as they face Illinois Wesleyan on the road on October 30 at 3:30 p.m.
 

Quick Facts

• Mickey Reilly scored his team-leading ninth goal today, which ties him for the second-most in the CCIW.
• The sophomore has scored four goals in the last four matches for the Firebirds, while adding a pair of assists.
• Joe Balas set a season-high with 72 minutes played tonight, adding his second assist of the season in the second half.

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