Bloomington, Ill. – The Thunder men's soccer team dropped its conference opener on Friday night in a heart-breaking 2-1 loss at Illinois Wesleyan. Wheaton falls to 3-2-1 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. The Thunder will host Aurora on Wednesday night at Joe Bean Stadium in a 7 PM start.

Wheaton took a 1-0 lead off junior Ben Theimer's second goal of the season, 17:38 into the match. Illinois Wesleyan's Ikenna Odinaka tied the match at 1-1 with a goal at the 28:20 mark of the match. The two teams remained scoreless for the remainder of the first and for the majority of the second half. Wheaton was dealt heartbreak when the Titans' Colin Aubin scored on a penalty kick 87:54 into the match.

Illinois Wesleyan out-shot the Thunder 12-8 and Wheaton held a 10-7 edge in corner kicks. Thunder sophomore goalkeeper Micah Lamb made three saves and allowed two goals. Illinois Wesleyan netminder Franklin Gorg, played in the first half, making two saves and allowing one goal. Win Fisher played the second half, did not allow a goal and made three saves.