FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Carroll Men's Soccer team battled No. 3 Indiana Tech for a full 90 minutes on Saturday night, but a late first-half strike from the Warriors proved to be the difference in a 1-0 setback at Warrior Athletic Field.
Coming off back-to-back NAIA Tournament appearances, Head Coach Austin Shick made it a priority to find and schedule top-end talent early in the season as the Fighting Saints (1-1-1) look to break through into the tournament's final site for the first time. Sunday night's scrap with No. 3 Indiana Tech, who received a pair of first place votes in the latest NAIA Poll, was just the kind of game Shick had in mind.
Both teams had their moments in the early stages of the match, but it would be the Warriors who struck first. Indiana Tech (4-1-1) broke through in the 39th minute when Jack Kennedy buried a quick header near post off a corner kick from Zak El Hannach, snapping what had been a scoreless, tightly-contested opening stretch.
The goal held up as the game-winner despite a physical, foul-heavy battle the rest of the way.
Carroll had several chances of their own in the second half, pushing hard for an equalizer. Roy Mendoza Huerta (North Logan, Utah / SR) forced a save out of Indiana Tech goalkeeper Alan Fleischer in the 61st minute. Multiple times the Saints would find late looks on goal, but the Warriors defense held on to secure the shutout.
Carroll goalkeeper Noah Jordan (Deer Park, Wash. / JR) only faced three total shots on net, all of which coming in the opening half. The transfer keeper managed a pair of saves,
A physical match throughout, both sides combined for 37 fouls and six yellow cards on the night.
The 1-0 loss won't deter the Saints, who will continue their Midwest swing on Tuesday evening as they take on No. 12-ranked Bethel (Ind.) at 4 p.m. (MDT).
Visit www.carrollathletics.com for a full recap of that action, and for complete coverage of the Fighting Saints all season long.
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