KENOSHA — The Carthage men's soccer team battled back from an early two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with North Central (Ill.) on Saturday afternoon at Art Keller Stadium.

• Final Score: Carthage 2 – North Central (Ill.) 2
• Location: Art Keller Stadium, Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Records: North Central (Ill.) 7-1-6, 3-0-2 CCIW | Carthage 1-8-3, 0-3-2 CCIW

• North Central (Ill.) jumped ahead quickly with goals in the ninth and 13th minutes to take a 2-0 lead.
• Carthage cut the deficit before halftime when Emmitt Hansen headed in a corner kick from Dane Hagen in the 43rd minute, sending the Firebirds into the break trailing 2-1.
• In the second half, Carthage continued to apply pressure and found the equalizer in the 63rd minute when Lincoln Ponce scored, making it 2-2. 
• Neither side could break through in the final 27 minutes as the teams settled for a draw.

• Goalkeeper Aaron The anchored the Carthage defense, recording nine saves — including seven in the second half — to preserve the result.
• Emmitt Hansen and Lincoln Ponce each netted their first and second goals of the season, respectively, while Booker Brown added an assist.
• The Firebirds tallied 11 total shots and six on goal, with Dennis Valle and Bram Wolkenfelt each adding key chances.

"We made our lives difficult by conceding two poor goals in the first half, but I'm delighted with the fight we showed to pull the game back to 2-2. The boys showed a lot of grit, and we had our moments towards the end where we could have won it."

• Carthage stays at home playing Augustana (Ill.) on Wednesday, October 22, at 7 p.m.