KENOSHA - Carthage Athletics has announced a Kick-off Weekend promotion as part of the first weekend of athletic events on campus for the 2026-27 season. The Firebirds events are scheduled to include in-game contests, t-shirt giveaways, and a black out theme that encourages fans to wear black at all six events that are scheduled.

ON-CAMPUS WEEKEND SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
Football vs Lakeland
7:00 p.m.
Art Keller Field

Women's Volleyball vs Centre
7:00 p.m.
Tarble Arena

SATURDAY
Women's Volleyball vs Wartburg
2:00 p.m.
Tarble Arena

Women's Volleyball vs Wis-Stevens Point
4:00 p.m.
Tarble Arena

Women's Soccer vs Mount St. Joseph
6:00 p.m.
Art Keller Field

SUNDAY
Men's Soccer vs Ohio Northern
3:00 p.m.
Art Keller Field

FOOTBALL VS LAKELAND | ART KELLER FIELD | FRIDAY 7 P.M.

The Carthage Firebirds football team will lead things off this weekend with the team's home opener against the Lakeland Muskies at Art Keller Field at 7 p.m. on Friday. It will be the first Friday night football game ever hosted at Art Keller Field and will feature exciting action to kick-off the festivities.

The Firebirds enter the third season under Head Coach Matt Popino and are coming off a 4-6 season in 2025. Lakeland enters the season under Head Coach Colin Bruton, who begins his 12th year at the helm of the Muskies squad. The Muskies also went 4-6 in 2025. The two teams opened the season against each other last year, with Carthage earning the road victory in an exciting 51-40 contest.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT | TARBLE ARENA | FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Women's Volleyball will host their annual fall tournament in Tarble Arena on Friday and Saturday, with the team playing their home opener match against Centre on Friday at 7 p.m. The team will then play a doubleheader on Saturday with contests against Wartburg at 2 p.m. and Wis-Stevens Point at 4 p.m. Neutral site games this weekend include Wartburg vs Wis-Stevens Point at 5 p.m. on Friday, Centre vs Wartburg at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by Wis-Stevens Point vs Centre at 12 p.m.

The Firebirds are off to a 1-0 start in 2026 following a 3-2 win over Lakeland on Sept. 1. The game was highlighted by a school record-breaking performance from senior Kristina Manojlovic, who finished the game with 28 kills.

WOMEN'S SOCCER VS MOUNT ST. JOSEPH | ART KELLER FIELD | SATURDAY 6 P.M.

Women's Soccer will host Mount St. Joseph after an impressive 1-0 victory over Edgewood in the home opener on Sept. 1. The Firebirds outshot the Eagles 22-2 in the opener with eight shots on goal. Mount St. Joseph enters the match with a 1-0 record after the Lions earned a 5-1 win over Bethany in their first contest of the year. Both teams will play their second contest before meeting each other on Saturday, as Carthage is set to play Lawrence on Sept. 3 and Mount St. Joseph will face-off against Wis-Oshkosh on Sept. 4.

The Firebirds are in their second season under Head Coach Chelsea Davis, who led the Firebirds to an 8-6-5 record in 2025.

MEN'S SOCCER VS OHIO NORTHERN | ART KELLER FIELD | SUNDAY 3 P.M.

The Firebirds will host the Ohio Northern Polar Bears on Sunday at Art Keller Field. The Firebirds are off to a 1-0 start with a statement 4-0 victory over Marian in the first match under Head Coach Mike Madigan. The Firebirds outshot Marian 20-7 and limited the Sabres to just one shot on goal. The four goals scored was also the most scored in a season opener for the Firebirds since the first game of the shortened Spring 2021 season. The Firebirds will face off against Illinois Tech in Chicago on Sept. 3 before Sunday's contest.

Ohio Northern enters the contest with an 0-1 record after a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Kenyon. The Polar Bears will play against Carroll on Sept. 4 in Waukesha, Wis.