Kenosha, Wis. - The Thunder men's soccer team had its season brought to a close on Saturday night with a 2-1 loss at #10-ranked Carthage in the CCIW Tournament Championship game. Wheaton's season ends with a record of 8-8-3 while Carthage improves to 18-3. With the victory, the Red Men claim the CCIW's automatic qualifying bid into the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Carthage outshot Wheaton 17-10 including an 8-3 advantage in the first half. The Red Men also held a 9-5 edge in shots on goal. Wheaton's Andrew Beard made seven saves and allowed two goals in 90 minutes while Brayan Arce Justiniano made four saves and allowed one goal.

The opening 30 minutes of action did not produce much action in the form of threatening opportunities but a Thunder miscue set-up with the Red Men with a threatening opportunity in the 34th minute. With a free kick off a Thunder foul, Carthage's Austin Bitta bent his kick over the top of the wall and past a sprawling Beard to give the Red Men the early 1-0 lead.

Carthage added a second goal just over five minutes into the second half when Ivan Esquivel scored off of Alberto Eloyza's back-heel pass to make it 2-0 in the 51st minute. Emotions escalated as the second half wore on with Wheaton drawing the receiving end of four of the five cards issued in the second half. The results of the card would leave Wheaton down two men after two red cards were issued.

Despite being two men down, Wheaton set up an interesting finish when Max Carey scored a bending corner kick at the 85:30 mark. Carthage's numbers advantage helped the Red Men to stave off the Thunder to win their second straight CCIW Tournament Championship.