Box Score

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Wheaton, Ill. - Relentless pressure turned into a first-half offensive explosion as the Wheaton College men's soccer team captured a 4-0 victory over Luther College in the Bob Baptista Invitational on Friday.

The No. 23-ranked Thunder improved to 1-1-0 on the year while the Norse fell to 0-1-1.

In the season-opener against Wabash on Tuesday, Wheaton dominated the action and saw plenty of quality scoring opportunities end up going wide or over the net. Despite  taking 21 shots and 11 on goal, the Thunder took the loss 3-1.

It only took the first six minutes of Friday's game against Luther for the Thunder to start converting those opportunities into scores. Matt Swartz led a break up the middle, sent a pass to the right wing to Cameron Risma, who then set up a streaking Stephen Mesko in front of the net for the game's first goal.

From that point on, Wheaton stayed on the offensive for the rest of the half. The Thunder took nine shots and four found the back of the net in first 45 minutes of action. The midfielders and forwards used deft, quick passes to keep the pressure on.

Swartz made it 2-0 in the 15th minute when Drew Golz sent a cross from the right side of the goalie box to the senior captain in front. The third goal came at 34:33 as senior Jason VanderVeen struck on an assist by Swartz.

Swartz finished the night's scoring with less than two minutes left in the half thanks to a series of sublime touch passes. The senior flew up the middle of the field, touched off twice, got the ball back each time, sent a shot off the goalie and then scored his own rebound. He finished with two goals and an assist on the night.

Luther made several adjustments in the second half and played more physically. But Wheaton held strong and prevented any threat of a rally.

Risma and Golz each had assists for the Thunder. Kit Carson got the shutout win in goal with three saves. The Thunder outshot the Norse 12-10 while each team had three corner kicks.

Luther goalie Steve O'Meara took the loss with one save and four goals allowed.

Wheaton will next face Taylor University in the finale of the Bob Baptista Invitational at 7:00 PM on Saturday.