Aurora, Ill. (9/20) – The Thunder men's soccer team lost 3-2 at Aurora University on Wednesday afternoon. Wheaton falls to 4-4-0 on the season, while Aurora is now 6-0-2. Wheaton will open conference play at Millikin University on Saturday afternoon at 4 PM. Saturday's match will be broadcast live from Decatur on WETN radio at 88.1 FM in the Wheaton area and on the internet at www.wetn.org.

Auora's Chase Corricelli gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead with a goal 19:43 into the match. Marshall Reed booted a penalty kick to increase the Aurora lead to 2-0 28:10 into the match. Wheaton All-American Steve Rigby netted his third goal of the season 42:22 into the match off of an assist by freshman Jason VanderVeen. The score remained 2-1 in favor of the Spartans at halftime. Junior Stider Elass tied the match at 2-2 with his first goal of the season off of a Joel DeLass assist at the 57:03 mark of the match. However, Aurora took the lead for good with its second penalty kick of the match as Corricelli booted the game-winner 81:50 into the contest.

Wheaton out-shot Aurora 17-11, however, the Spartans held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks. Aurora goalkeeper Anthony Collins made five saves and allowed two goals. Wheaton netminder Ryan Souders made three saves and allowed three goals, with two penalty kicks, in 90 minutes of action.