Box Score CHICAGO — The Carthage College men's soccer team took an early lead Wednesday night but dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 22 North Park at Holmgren Athletic Complex.

The Firebirds struck first in the opening 10 minutes and carried a 1-0 advantage into the middle portion of the first half. North Park responded with a pair of goals, including the equalizer in the 26th minute and the eventual game-winner early in the second half. Carthage continued to generate offensive chances throughout the final 45 minutes, putting five shots on goal and forcing three saves, but could not find the equalizer.

• Final Score: North Park 2, Carthage 1
• Location: Chicago, Illinois — Holmgren Athletic Complex
• Records: No. 22 North Park 9-1-2, 3-0-0 CCIW; Carthage 2-8-1, 0-4-0 CCIW

• Carthage opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Eli Schoffstall found the back of the net at the 8:09 mark, with Dennis Valle providing the assist.
• North Park answered with sustained pressure following the Carthage goal, earning multiple corner kicks and creating several opportunities in the attacking third.
• Juan Camilo Rodriguez Prada kept the Firebirds in front, making his first save of the match in the 17th minute.
• North Park continued to pressure the Carthage defense, including a shot that struck the right post in the 23rd minute.
• The hosts eventually leveled the match in the 26th minute, scoring at the 25:17 mark to make it 1-1.
• Carthage created an opportunity shortly after the equalizer when Jordan Mok recorded a shot in the 28th minute, but the attempt went over the goal.
• The Firebirds and North Park remained tied through the remainder of the opening half, sending the teams into halftime at 1-1.
• Carthage opened the second half with an opportunity from Valle in the 53rd minute, but his shot toward the bottom left corner was saved.
• North Park took its first lead of the match less than a minute later, scoring at the 53:32 mark to move ahead 2-1.
• Rodriguez Prada responded with a pair of saves in the ensuing minutes, including stops in the 56th and 59th minutes to keep Carthage within one.
• The Firebirds continued to push forward, with Schoffstall recording a shot in the 60th minute before Valle added another attempt in the 63rd minute.
• Carthage made several substitutions throughout the second half as it looked to generate additional offensive pressure.
• North Park threatened again in the 77th minute, but Rodriguez Prada made another save to keep the deficit at one.
• Carthage generated a late offensive push, beginning with a shot from Neil Mayer in the 79th minute.
• Wyatt Panczuk followed with another attempt before Emmitt Hansen forced a save with a shot toward the bottom left corner in the 80th minute.
• The Firebirds continued attacking during the final 10 minutes, with Alex Moncau recording a shot that was kept out by a team save in the 86th minute.
• Schoffstall added another attempt in the 88th minute, but the shot went wide.
• Carthage created one final opportunity with 11 seconds remaining when Moncau put a shot toward the bottom center of the goal, but the North Park goalkeeper made the save to preserve the 2-1 victory.

• Eli Schoffstall scored Carthage's lone goal in the ninth minute, giving the Firebirds an early 1-0 lead.
• Dennis Valle recorded two shots, including one on goal, and assisted on Carthage's opening goal.
• Juan Camilo Rodriguez Prada made four saves during 90 minutes in goal.
• Alex Moncau recorded two shots late in the match, including a shot on goal with 11 seconds remaining.
• Carthage finished with 11 shots, including five on goal, while Rodriguez Prada recorded four saves in 90 minutes. North Park finished with 17 shots and six shots on goal.

• Carthage returns to action on Saturday, October 10, playing Wheaton (Ill.) on the road at 7 p.m.