No. 24 Men's Soccer drops 3-2 decision to Carthage (Wis.) in First Round of NCAA III Tournament
By Caleb Scott
ADA — The No. 24-ranked Ohio Northern men's soccer team fell in in the First Round of the NCAA III Tournament 3-2 to Carthage (Wis.) Thursday evening at Kerscher Stadium.
The Polar Bears end their season at 17-5-1, while the Red Men improve to 12-7-3 and advance to the Second Round of the NCAA III Tournament on Sunday at No. 11 Loras (Iowa).
Juniors Patrick Sabol and Matt Kinkopf led the Northern offense with a goal apiece, while sophomore Dakota Swisher added two assists on the evening.
Northern put themselves in an early hole, as they gave up an own goal in the first minute of the contest to go down 1-0.
After a tough defensive battle, ONU would even the score just before intermission in the 43rd minute as Sabol received a pass from Swisher and beat the CC keeper with a header.
The Red Men gained an early advantage in the second half after Zach Schoffstall scored in the 56th minute to pull ahead 2-1.
Carthage would extend its lead in the 63rd minute after Austin Bitta scored from inside the 18 yard box to push the CC lead to 3-1.
The Polar Bears would answer with a goal of their own as junior David Janusz played a ball into the 18-yard box where Swisher would play a touch to Kinkopf for the score to bring Northern within 3-2 in the 65th minute.
"I'm very proud of this team and the seniors for they way they led us this season," said ONU head coach Brent Ridenour. "Carthage is a good team and they deserve this win. I'm just very proud of the way our guys fought back and never quit."
Sophomore goalkeeper Dean McNeil recorded four saves during the contest.
Northern was out shot by Carthage 20-14 and was edged in corner kicks by a 7-6 margin.
