FOND DU LAC — The Carthage College men's soccer team started out the 2025 season at Marian (Wis.) with a 0-0 draw Friday night.
- Final Score: Carthage 0 - Marian (Wis.) 0
- Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin - Smith Fields
- Records: Carthage 0-0-1, Marian (Wis.) 0-0-1
- Carthage came out with early pressure, earning three corner kicks in the opening six minutes.
- Alfredo Millan fired the first shot of the night just over the crossbar before Jordan Mok forced a save in the eighth minute.
- Samuel Riano and Dennis Valle each added attempts as the Firebirds kept the Sabres on their heels.
- Defensively, goalkeeper Aaron The stood tall with two key saves in the first 45 minutes, including a stop on a close-range attempt in the 33rd minute.
- Carthage closed the half with a flurry of chances, highlighted by Dominic Gadalinski's shot that was saved in the 33rd minute and another attempt just wide before the break.
- The teams went into halftime locked at 0-0.
- Carthage continued to push forward after the restart, as Juan Ramirez and Gadalinski each had looks at goal early in the half, while Carthage created four more corner kick opportunities to keep possession in the attacking third.
- Marian (Wis.) countered with several chances of its own, but The added another save in the 57th minute to preserve the shutout.
- Gadalinski nearly broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with a shot that skipped just wide.
- Despite both sides generating pressure late, neither team could find the finishing touch.
- Carthage closed the night with 11 total shots, three on target, and a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
"It was a good, hard-fought game from both sides," commented head coach
Paul Leese. "Nice to get the first game nerves out of the way with many good performances from both returning and new players. We are a little disappointed not to get the win, but a lot of positives to build on."
- The Firebirds return home for their home opener playing Wisconsin-Platteville at Art Keller Field at 5 p.m.
