WAUKESHA, Wis. - Airik Ranjo scored two goals but the Carroll University men's lacrosse team lost to North Central College 24-2 in a rainy, cool College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Schneider Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was the fourth home-field loss of the season for Carroll, which dropped to 0-2 in the conference standings and 2-8 overall.
North Central, which improved to 1-2 in league and 5-8 overall, outscored the Pioneers 9-1 in the first half - including what became a decisive 5-1 advantage in the opening quarter.
Ranjo, a 5-foot-7 attackman from San Diego, Calif., contributed his first goal off an assist from freshman attackman Dylan Steichen (Bartlett, Ill.) in the first quarter to trim the deficit to 5-1 for the Pioneers, who were outshot 72-16 - including a 51-6 shot-on-goal margin.
Ranjo, who currently leads the team with 11 goals this season, added his final goal on an assist by junior attackman Paul Kerchberger (Deer Park, Ill.) in the second quarter.
Sophomore goalkeeper Abe Escarda (Sammamish, Wash.) registered 27 saves in playing the entire 60 minutes.
Carroll head coach Brian Nowak was quick to point out that with the strength and depth of the conference, the experience will only help in his young, hungry team's progression. 
"Everyone played their hearts out so we just need to continue putting the pieces together and grind it out each time we step on the field," said Nowak, whose squad pulled out gritty back-to-back conference victories versus Northland College (8-7) and North Central University (12-3) earlier this season. "We compete in the best conference in the Midwest and have to be prepared to fight every night. Even though it didn't work out in our favor this time, it wasn't because of a lack of effort.
"The building process isn't easy so I've been impressed with the way we've held our heads high, remained positive and have showcased our mental toughness in working through the situation."
Sophomore defender Nick Pardo (Plainfield, Ill.) had six goals and an assist to lead North Central, which established a team-record for goals in a single game.