UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – The Wilmington College men’s soccer team almost completed a three-goal comeback, but ultimately fell to No. 6 John Carroll Saturday, 4-2, at Don Shula Stadium in Ohio Athletic Conference action.

Wilmington fell behind in the 22nd minute on what head coach Bud Lewis termed a “controversial call.” Believing that a foul against senior goalkeeper Chris Bourque went uncalled, it allowed JCU to score the game’s opening goal.

“I am pleased with how the guys came back from a 3-nil deficit,” said Lewis. “We showed a lot of heart. We made some errors, all of them fixable. We learned a lot. Our back line struggled at times and that can put you under a lot of pressure.”

The Blue Streaks added a second goal in the 42nd minute and then took a three-goal lead almost immediately after the second half began.

Sophomore Roman Kirschner found the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season with the assist being credited to junior Niklas Martensson.

Martensson assisted on Wilmington’s second goal as freshman Wille Winald tallied his marker in the 80th minute. Winald has seven goals on the season.

Wilmington had a couple of chances to net the equalizer, but John Carroll took advantage of a misplay off an 86th minute corner kick for an insurance goal.

John Carroll held a huge margin on corner kicks, taking 12 of the 14 in the game. The Blue Streaks held the shot advantage, 15-11.

The Fightin’ Quakers were called for more fouls, 18-14, and both teams were issued three yellow cards.

The loss snapped Wilmington’s five-game winning streak.

Wilmington (6-4-1) returns to Williams Stadium 7 p.m. Tuesday, hosting Capital in Ohio Athletic Conference action.