Box Score

Wheaton, Ill. - An own goal in the final minutes proved to be the difference on Wednesday night as the Wheaton College men's soccer team topped Augustana College 2-1 in the CCIW Tournament Semifinals.

The No. 1-seed Thunder improved its record to 11-6-3 and will host No. 2-seed North Park University for the CCIW Tournament Final at 7:00 PM on Saturday. The winner of that game will get an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

The No. 4-seed Vikings end their season with an 8-11-1 record.

Two weeks earlier, the Thunder used a barrage of second half offense to beat the Vikings 4-2 at Joe Bean Stadium.

Augustana's defense was determined not to let that result repeat itself, sagging back with four defenders to limit Wheaton's rushes. Forwards Drew and Jordan Golz found themselves constantly surrounded by two to three defenders at a time on their attacks.

Both sides created some on-frame shot opportunities, but neither could get on the scoreboard as the first half concluded with a 0-0 score. Wheaton held an 11-6 shot advantage and a 7-1 corner kick edge. However, the Thunder just narrowly missed on their forays into the box on multiple occassions.

Wheaton's attack finally struck paydirt in the 58th minute. Coming off a foul, Paul Pesek took the free kick from about 30 yards and sent a left-footed boot into the box. Drew Golz neatly executed a flick-on header to the left and found the swining foot of Josh Clark, who slammed the ball into net.

The Vikings looked to be on their heels until the 70th minute, when their own free kick into the box was redirected into space on the left to an unmarked Adam Wilson, who promptly knotted the score at 1-1.

Augustana retained control of the midfield from about the 78th minute on, pressing its attack with some urgency. The game appeared headed to overtime. However, an unusual series of events changed that outcome.

With five minutes remaining, Thunder defender Kevin Skinker gained possession of the ball in Augustana's half and made a run to the goal line. The freshmen sent a cross down the line into the box in an attempt to find a teammate, but Augustana's defense knocked the ball into its own goal instead. Wheaton then rode out the final minutes and came away with the 2-1 victory.

The Thunder finished with a 15-11 shots advantage and an 11-2 corner kick edge. Ryan Seager made three saves in goal to get the win. Augustana's Steven Zahrobsky also made three saves to take the loss.

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