BOXSCORE
Wheaton, Ill. – The Thunder men's soccer team earned its fourth-straight victory on Friday night with a 3-1 win against CCIW-rival North Park at Joe Bean Stadium. Tonight's Wheaton victory snapped the Vikings' four-match win streak against the Thunder. Wheaton head coach Dr. Mike Giuliano noted of ending the Vikings' streak against Wheaton, “North Park is a good side and we know that this is a good win. It is also a good win symbolically.”
In the 32nd minute of the match, Strider Elass, Wheaton's goal and assist-leader was cautioned with a red card. The Thunder was forced to play a man down for the remainder of the match. The hosts responded to the difficult situation when Mack Rogers (PICTURED LEFT) expertly headed the ball into the net off of a well-placed Cory Smith assist 38:52 into the match. Rogers' goal gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead that the squad would hold at halftime.
The Thunder continued to attack North Park in the opening minutes of the second half. Wheaton's pressure resulted in a goal by senior Cory Smith (PICTURED RIGHT) off of an assist from Steve Poppe. Smith's sixth goal of the year came 47:33 into the match to give Wheaton a 2-0 lead. Joel DeLass increased the Wheaton lead to 3-0 at the 64:26 mark of the match, off of a double-assist from Zac Koons and Jonathan Liechty. The initial shot was deflected and then collected and distributed to DeLass for the goal. North Park's lone goal of the match came 69:24 into the match when Jordan Gyuricza scored for the Vikings.
North Park out-shot Wheaton 17-16; however Wheaton had 10 shots on goal, to nine for the Vikings. Each team had six corner kicks in the match. Senior goalkeeper BJ Dons continued his strong play in the Thunder net with six saves and one goal allowed in 90 minutes of action. North Park netminder Alex Drake made five saves and allowed three goals.
Giuliano noted of his team's effort in playing a man down, “The character of a team is defined in moments of adversity; and tonight this team responded the way that they should have responded.”
