GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE: Freshman Adam Blackman scored the game winner in the 83rd minute.

Box Score

Wheaton, Ill. - Adam Blackman's shot through a sea of bodies found the back of the goal to give the Wheaton College men's soccer team a critical 1-0 victory over Illinois Wesleyan University on Wednesday.

With the win, the Thunder keep their CCIW Tournament hopes alive, improving to 9-7-2 overall and 3-2-1 in conference. The Titans fell to 8-7-1 and 3-2-1 in the CCIW.

On a cold night with temperatures in the 40s, the visitors got off to the quicker start. IWU possessed effectively from the onset and got some looks at the goal in the first 15 minutes. Wheaton, meanwhile, looked to counter attack but couldn't quite get the ball to the forwards on the run.

The Thunder picked up a breakaway opportunity in the 38th minute when Blackman received the ball on a counter, but his one-on-one shot was saved by goalie Tim Hedwood. Five minutes later, Drew Golz headed the ball in off a long ball from Jason Lollar. However, the play was called offsides and negated the goal.

Wheaton came out hard in the second half and controlled throughout. The hosts possessed effectively and started to launch shots on goal with regularity.

After a number of quality chances, the Thunder earned a corner kick in the 83rd minute. Cory Weaver launched the ball into the box, where it deflected off Stephen Russo and went to the feet of Blackman. The freshman forward struck the shot through a large crowd in front and found the left corner to score the deciding goal. It marked his fourth score of the season.

The Titans kept pressing in the final minutes as the Thunder needed a back-line save at the post, courtesy of sweeper Matt Hussey, in the 87th minute to preserve the win.

Goalie Ryan Seager (PICTURED RIGHT) made five saves to pick up his fifth shutout of the year. Hegwood collected six saves in a losing effort. Wheaton ended up with a 21-12 shot lead, including a 10-4 margin in corner kicks.

Wheaton's final regular season game will occur at Millikin University starting at 2:30 PM on Saturday. By virtue of tonight's win, the Thunder hold a tiebreaker advantage in the first criteria over Illinois Wesleyan to decide a spot in the CCIW Tournament. Both teams are currently tied for fourth place in the conference.

LINK TO CCIW TIEBREAKER INFORMATION