McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team secured a victory against Carthage College in their first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin match. The game took place on Saturday, October 5, at Neis Field in Bloomington, Illinois. The Titans managed to overcome the Firebirds with a final score of 5-4, maintaining an unbeaten record for the season with seven wins and two draws.

The match began with both teams holding strong defenses until Carthage scored the first goal in the 35th minute. Early in the second half, Carthage extended their lead by scoring twice within three minutes, making it 3-0 by the 51st minute.

Illinois Wesleyan started their comeback in the 63rd minute when Logan Tierney assisted Mush Bakirdan for his first goal of the season. Joey Rodino then converted a penalty kick following a yellow card from Carthage, narrowing the gap to 3-2 by the 69th minute.

The Titans continued their offensive push as Ben Lyons scored off a cross from Matthew Perchik to tie the game at 3-3 in the 73rd minute. Shortly after, Ryder Coleman headed a corner kick from Lyons into the net, giving IWU a temporary lead of 4-3.

Carthage quickly responded with an equalizing goal in the 79th minute. However, Bakirdan capitalized on a free kick opportunity to secure IWU's lead once again at 5-4 with just six minutes remaining. Despite efforts from Carthage to level again, Illinois Wesleyan held on for the win.

Next up for IWU is another CCIW match against Wheaton College on Wednesday, October 9 at Joe Bean Stadium.