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Kalib
Kodiak Creative
1
Ill. Wesleyan IWU (3-3-1, 0-1-0)
3
Winner Carthage CAR (3-4-1, 1-0-0)
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
(3-3-1, 0-1-0)
1
Final
3
Carthage CAR
(3-4-1, 1-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 1 0 1
Carthage CAR 1 2 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Men’s Soccer Falls to Carthage as Firebirds Claim CCIW Opener

Kamau tallied lone goal in the second minute

KENOSHA, Wis. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team began its 2022 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin slate by taking on Carthage College, Saturday, Sept. 24 at Art Keller Field in Kenosha, Wis. The Firebirds tallied three unanswered goals to seal the come from behind victory, 3-1. With the setback, the Green and White's record slipped to 3-4-1 (0-1 CCIW), while Carthage's record jumped to 3-4-1 (1-0 CCIW). 

The Titans, who have been searching for a spark offensively, wasted zero time getting on the board as freshman Kalabi Kamau (Alpharetta, Ga.-Marist School) launched a 20-yard missile into the upper right hand portion of the net. The Firebird goalie froze as the ball raced over his reach, giving IWU the early, second minute, 1-0, advantage. 

Carthage's first opportunity came in the 33rd minute as the Firebirds manufactured a free kick just outside of the 18-yard box. The free kick ultimately resulted in a  corner, which flew into the six-yard box, before the Wesleyan defense thwarted the back-to-back CC changes. 

The Firebirds induced another corner in the 38th minute. This set piece chance produced a shot from the middle of the field, right outside of the 18-yard box that sailed high, good for an IWU corner as the Titan back line stayed strong.

Right before the halftime whistle, in the 44th minute, Carthage utilized a lengthy pass, and a nifty touch that created the home team's first goal to even the match, 1-1.

With just 42 seconds left in the first, the Titans earned a free kick on the right side of the 18-yard box. The opportunity tested the Carthage defense, but the ball was headed out of play as the referee blew the halftime whistle.

In the first 45, CC was credited with 12 shots (four shots on goal), compared to IWU's four shots (three shots on goal).

Carthage kept the momentum going into the second half as the Firebirds notched the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute to take the 2-1 lead. 

In the 73rd minute of action, CC had two prime chances. However, a sliding stop by junior Gavin Smith (Seattle, Wash.-Eastside Preparatory School) at the goaline prevented Carthage's third goal of the evening. The follow up opportunity hit the crossbar and the ball was then booted out of harm's way to keep the score at 2-1.

Carthage sealed the victory in the 78th minute as a Firebird collected a rebound and used his head to net CC's third goal as the deficit now sat at 3-1.

The Titans' comeback attempts were shut down by the Carthage back line as IWU fell in its CCIW opener, 3-1.

In the end, Carthage accumulated 20 shots (eight on goal), while the Titans notched four (three on goal).

Junior Sasha Tylnyy (Wheeling, Ill.-Buffalo Grove), Kamau, and sophomore Mush Bakirdan (Morton, Ill.-Morton) tallied the three shots on goal. 

Freshman Sam Kedzior (Cary, Ill.-Cary Grove) earned his first career start, and first collegiate minutes, between the posts for the Green and White. The Cary, Ill. native generated five saves in the contest. 

The Green and White will complete the team's final non-conference match as IWU will take on Wabash College Tuesday, Sept. 27. First kick is slated for 7 p.m. at Neis Field in Bloomington.
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