Carthage College Athletics

WHEATON, Ill. — The Carthage College men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Wheaton (Ill.) on Saturday night at Joe Bean Stadium in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) action.

After a scoreless first half, Wheaton broke through early in the second half, scoring in the 54th minute to take the lead. The Firebirds continued to battle offensively, finishing with 19 shots and earning seven corner kicks in the second half alone. Carthage put four shots on goal, but Wheaton goalkeeper Luke McGuire made four saves to preserve the shutout and secure the home victory.

• Final Score: Wheaton (Ill.) 1, Carthage 0
• Location: Wheaton, Illinois — Joe Bean Stadium
• Records: Wheaton (Ill.) 4-7-2, 2-1-1 CCIW; Carthage 2-9-1, 0-5-0 CCIW

• Carthage looked to establish an early attacking presence, with Eli Schoffstall recording a shot in the opening minute that went over the goal.
• Dominic Gadalinski followed with a shot on target in the second minute, but Wheaton goalkeeper Luke McGuire made the save to keep the match scoreless.
• Wheaton responded with its first notable opportunities, as Noah Luther sent an attempt over the goal in the eighth minute before Ashur Eshw tested Juan Camilo Rodriguez Prada in the 12th minute.
• Rodriguez Prada made another save in the 14th minute, denying Cooper Falling's attempt toward the bottom left corner.
• Wheaton continued to create chances through the first half, earning corner kicks and forcing Rodriguez Prada to remain active in goal.
• Carthage looked to generate opportunities of its own, but the Firebirds were caught offside twice during the opening half as both teams searched for the breakthrough.
• Wheaton threatened again in the 32nd minute when Luke Vander Kolk put a shot toward the upper left corner, but Rodriguez Prada made the save.
• The teams remained scoreless through the remainder of the first half, sending the match into halftime at 0-0.
• Carthage continued to compete defensively after the break, but Wheaton eventually broke the deadlock in the 54th minute.
• At the 53:02 mark, the Thunder found the back of the net first to give Wheaton a 1-0 lead.
• The Firebirds worked to respond and increase their attacking pressure throughout the second half, recording 14 shots after halftime and earning seven corner kicks.
• Jordan Mok led Carthage's offensive effort, finishing with seven shots, including two on goal, as the Firebirds looked for an equalizer.
• Theron Miceli put a shot on target during his time on the field, while Gadalinski also recorded a shot on goal as Carthage continued to challenge the Wheaton defense.
• Rodriguez Prada kept the deficit at one, making a save in the second half after recording three stops before halftime.
• Carthage continued to push forward in the closing stages, but McGuire and the Wheaton defense held firm to preserve the shutout.
• Despite finishing with 19 shots and four shots on goal, the Firebirds were unable to find the equalizer as Wheaton secured the 1-0 victory.

• Jordan Mok led Carthage with seven shots, including two on goal.
• Carthage finished with 19 shots and four shots on goal, including 14 shots in the second half.
• Juan Camilo Rodriguez Prada recorded four saves in 90 minutes in goal.
• Dominic Gadalinski and Theron Miceli each recorded a shot on goal.
• Carthage earned seven corner kicks in the second half and finished with seven corners.

• The Firebirds take on Wisconsin-Platteville on Wednesday, October 14, at 7 p.m. on the road.