Column by Tyler Job

Sept. 28, 2016

It was not a pretty Thursday night for the Warhawks.

The unranked UW-Whitewater men’s soccer team (3-1-2) was faced with a tough task, hosting No. 24 Carthage College (5-2-0). In a game that seemed difficult for the Warhawks before game time, they struggled out of the gate.

Even with Dylan Hottsmith and Justin Stanko tied for team goals, (4) and Stanko being the point leader for the Warhawks (9), they, as well as the rest of the team, were shut down by Carthage’s hefty defense.

The Warhawks were almost unable to muster any offense throughout the first half, as Carthage’s offense dominated. When the Warhawks had a chance on offense, they failed to execute, and Carthage snatched the ball right back.

In what assumed to be a flurry of chances for Carthage, Whitewater’s junior goalkeeper Chris Lucatorto made a series of courageous plays to keep the Red Men scoreless. Carthage’s forward Jorge Triana had a couple of opportunitesopportunities to take the lead, but failed to convert on both shots.

The Red Men finished the first half with six shots on goal, two saves and nine corner kicks, and while the Warhawks completed the first half with two shots on goal, six saves, and five corner kicks.

The second half was not much of a differenta similar story. The Warhawks did show some flashes on offense, but the Red Men defense kept the ‘Hawks quiet for the most part.

The second half was also troublesome for the Warhawks, when senior midfielder Michael Salm  was ejected and junior defender Kevin Winter was penalized in the goalie box early on. Winter’s penalty led to a Carthage penalty kick goal after forward Austin Bitta placed it in the back of the net with 38:18 remaining in the game.

A few minutes later, Whitewater had a chance to even the game. Defender Chris Roche broke free in between two Carthage defenders, but ultimately missed a wide- open net. With Salm out, it eventually caught up to the Warhawks , and they did not have enough to outlast the Red Men.

The rest of the half was carried out by Carthage’s swift offense, and the Red Men were able to put the game away when forward Leo Mendoza slithered through two Warhawk defenders to put the ball past Lucatorto with 1:57 remaining.

In the remaining minute, Whitewater was able to draw a penalty and senior midfielder Jordan Kayser drove the ball into the net to get the Warhawks on the board with 0:13 remaining.

But that was it, as Carthage toppled Whitewater 2-1. UW-W finished the night with seven shots on goal, eight saves, and seven corner kicks, while the Red Men ended their night with 10 shots on goal, six saves, and a whopping 17 corner kicks.

It was an ugly night for the Warhawks, who now drop to 3-2-2 on the season. The Red Men, meanwhile, improve to 6-2-0.

At the end of the week, Carthage might move up a couple of spots in the rankings after a solid road win against UW-W. The Warhawks travel to Millikin University on Friday, Sept. 30 before returning to Fiskum Field next Wednesday, Oct. 5 to host Loras College for the Hawk Cup.