STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Carroll University men's soccer team opened the 2026 campaign Tuesday night with a challenging road test against UW-Stevens Point, falling 2-0 to the Pointers.
UW-Stevens Point found the back of the net just 1:22 into the match when Mac Gaskell-Larson converted an opportunity off an assist from Xavier Klun, giving the hosts an early advantage. Carroll settled into the contest from there and trailed just 1-0 for more than 70 minutes.
The Pioneers generated seven shots in the match, including three on frame. Iskander Sharipov led Carroll with three shots and two shots on goal, while Max Pusic added two attempts. Sheridan Joseph recorded Carroll's other shot on target.
Defensively, goalkeeper Angel Escamilla kept the Pioneers within striking distance throughout the evening, making six saves against 13 UW-Stevens Point shots. The Pointers finally added an insurance goal in the 75th minute when Gaskell-Larson scored his second goal of the night.
Both teams were awarded penalty kicks late in the second half, but neither side converted. Escamilla stopped a UW-Stevens Point attempt in the 84th minute, and moments later the Pointers' goalkeeper turned away Carroll's penalty opportunity to preserve the shutout.
UW-Stevens Point finished with advantages in shots (13-7), shots on goal (8-3), and corner kicks (9-2).
The Pioneers will look to bounce back in their next match as they host Ohio Northern in their home opener on Friday at 6pm.
