NAPERVILLE — The Carthage College men's soccer team concluded its 2025 season Saturday afternoon with a 1-0 loss to North Central (Ill.) in the first round of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

• Final Score: North Central (Ill.) 1 – Carthage 0
• Location: Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium – Naperville, Illinois
• Records: No. 3 North Central (Ill.) 9-1-8 | No. 6 Carthage 3-9-4

• The first half saw back-and-forth action with both sides trading early opportunities. 
• Carthage's Juan Ramirez fired the first shot of the match in the opening minutes, followed by a pair of attempts from Dennis Valle and Eli Schoffstall that went just wide.
• North Central (Ill.) capitalized on its first major chance in the 27th minute when the Cardinals finished a low strike into the corner of the net off a cross, giving the home team a 1-0 lead.
• The Firebirds pushed for an equalizer before halftime, highlighted by a shot on goal from Bram Wolkenfelt that was saved by the North Central (Ill.) goalkeeper. Despite the pressure, Carthage entered the break trailing by one.
• In the second half, the Firebirds continued to apply pressure through set pieces and crosses into the box. 
• Vuk Minic had a shot on frame midway through the period, but Stanislao once again made the save. 
• The Carthage defense, anchored by Owen Lewandoski and Ben Naber, kept the Cardinals off the board the rest of the way while goalkeeper Aaron The tallied two saves, including a key stop in the 70th minute to keep the match close.
• As time wound down, Carthage earned multiple corner kicks and free-kick opportunities but couldn't convert. 

• Carthage recorded nine total shots, with four on goal, while North Central (Ill.) matched that total with nine shots and three on frame. Goalkeeper Aaron The collected two saves in the effort, including a key stop late in the second half to keep the match within reach.
• Eli Schoffstall, Dennis Valle, Bram Wolkenfelt, and Vuk Minic each registered a shot on goal for the Firebirds. The defensive back line, led by Owen Lewandoski, Ben Naber, and Adrian Atanassov, limited the Cardinals' attack to just one corner in the second half.

"It's always tough when you lose, but it felt worse as we didn't play our best today. It was a scrappy game, which is sometimes to be expected in the playoffs, and it was a scrappy goal that decided it.

I'm very proud of our guys and the great performances that we put together during the second half of the season. We showed a lot of growth, and I look forward to building on that during the offseason."