BOXSCORE

Elmhurst, Ill. – Elmhurst defeated the Thunder men's soccer team on Friday afternoon in a key CCIW match at the Bluejays' Langhorst Field. Wheaton is now 10-6-1 overall and 3-3-0 in the CCIW, while Elmhurst improves to 14-3-1 overall and 6-1-0 in the CCIW.

Wheaton will conclude the regular season next Monday night at North Central in a 7 PM match in Naperville. The Thunder will be the fourth-seeded team in the upcoming CCIW Men's Soccer Tournament and will play a Tournament Semifinal next Wednesday at top-seeded Carthage (time TBA). Second-seeded Elmhurst will host third-seeded Illinois Wesleyan in the next Wednesday's other CCIW Tournament Semifinal.

Elmhurst took a 1-0 lead when Jake Pahr scored his 13th goal of the season 10:15 into the match. Pahr's goal was assisted on a breakaway by Colin Stringer and John Brehm. The Bluejays held onto the 1-0 lead for the remainder of the first half.

Elmhurst's Phil Ruskin increased the hosts' lead to 2-0 with a goal 62:37 into the match off of a double-assist from Pahr and Kevin Davey. Wheaton's senior captain, Dolph Westlund (PICTURED) cut Elmhurst's lead to 2-1 with his first goal of the year. Westlund had an open net in front of him and received a well-placed David Adams assist at the 84:57 mark of the match. Following Westlund's goal the Thunder offense continued to attack at the Elmhurst goal. Wheaton's Matt Swartz had a strong shot that nearly tied the match at 2-2, however, the shot went just left of the post, thwarting the guests' best opportunity to tie the match.

Wheaton out-shot Elmhurst 14-7 and the Thunder held a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. Thunder goalkeeper BJ Dons made two saves, and allowed two goals. Elmhurst netminder Britt Blackwell made seven saves and allowed one goal.