DECATUR, Ill. – Carroll University men's soccer came up just short in a back-and-forth contest Saturday afternoon, falling 3-2 to Millikin in a CCIW matchup at Frank M. Lindsay Field. The loss drops Carroll to 5-6-1 overall and 2-2-0 in conference play, while Millikin improves to 5-6-1 (1-2-1 CCIW).

Millikin struck first in the fifth minute when Bryce Davis finished a pass from Landon Welch to make it 1-0. Carroll answered in the 28th minute as Iskander Sharipov buried his sixth goal of the season off a feed from Marti Solanelles, leveling the score at 1-1. The Big Blue regained the lead just before halftime on a goal by Kyle Grasse, assisted by Eithan Shay, sending Carroll into the break trailing 2-1.

The Pioneers fought back early in the second half when Matthew Meke scored his third goal of the year in the 56th minute, assisted by Nico Hinten, to tie the match at 2-2. However, playing down a man after a red card in the 63rd minute, Carroll conceded the game-winner to Davis in the 65th minute, his second goal of the day.

Carroll outshot Millikin 13-15 overall and held a slight edge in possession (53%), but Millikin capitalized on key moments. Meke and Sharipov combined for six shots on goal, while goalkeeper Uriel Garcia made four saves. Millikin's Chase Mandra stopped seven shots to preserve the win.

Carroll continue their CCIW schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 15, as they face Elmhurst in Elmhurst, IL.