NAPERVILLE, Ill. – A red card in the 25^th minute left the Carroll University men's soccer team down a man for most of the contest against the No. 24 North Central Cardinals on Saturday night. Carroll stuck first but the game ended 2-3 in favor of North Central. Ethan Pequignot scored for the Pios in the first half.
 
The Pioneers (7-8, 2-4 CCIW) faced a strong North Central attack that put up 16 shots in the first 45 minutes but Carroll did not allow a score until the second half. Tyler Hanson pulled together five saves for the group, including three in the first half. The Cardinals held the ball for nearly 60% of the game but costly mistakes let the Pioneers stay in the action.
 
Pequignot scored on a corner set piece that was assisted by Ryan Coughlin in the 12^th minute of the game to stun the Cardinals. Coughlin's corner kick went far post and landed perfectly for a chip shot back across the net for the score. Parker Nimmer was assessed a straight red card in the 25^th minute after a hard slide tackle from behind, and the Pioneers played with 10 for the remaining 65 minutes. The Carroll defense stayed strong in the first half keeping the charging Cardinals out of the goal.
 
The Cardinals scored a trio of goals quickly in the second half after taking advantage of the shorthanded Pioneers. The third goal of the game was scored in the 68^th minute. Carroll still had chances and with their shortened staff, put enough pressure on the Cardinals to force an error. North Central's errant pass from their back line went into the back of the net for an own goal in the 76^th minute, giving life to the Carroll offensive attack. Josh Gonzaga's look at goal in the 83^rd minute was the last best chance for the Pioneers as the Cardinals controlled the remaining minutes on the clock.
 
Carroll will veer from the traditional Wednesday, Saturday slate with a Thursday night non-conference game up against Wisconsin-Eau Claire on October 20.