GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE: Noah Anthony scored his second goal of the season in Wheaton's 3-1 victory over Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday night.

Bloomington, Ill.- In a game that likely would decide who would claim top honors in the CCIW, Wheaton took advantage of several early miscues and turned out a 3-1 victory over Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday night. An own goal gave Wheaton in the fourth minute and the Thunder never added insurance goals from Noah Anthony and Marshall Hollingsworth in improving to 12-3-2 and 4-0-1 in the CCIW.

Wheaton was outshot by the Titans 14-9 and Illinois Wesleyan also held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.  Ryan Seager allowed one goal and made three saves in 90 minutes in net for the Thunder. Tim Hegwood allowed three goals and made three saves in the match for the Titans.

Wheaton's only corner of the match provided the game's first goal when the ball was deflected into the net by the Titans for an own goal just 3:10 into the match.

Noah Anthony doubled that lead just minutes later when his free kick at the 10:55 mark was mishandled and ended up in the net for a 2-0 Thunder lead.

"I thought our corner backs played an ourstanding game tonight," Head Coach Mike Giuliano stated. "Kevin Skinker may have played his best match of the season and Noah also did a great job shutting down a very athletic attack." 

The Titans cut the gap to 2-1 in the 38th minute on Kyle Gorgol's eight goal of the season.  Marshall Hollingsworth added an insurance goal late in the 74th minute to account for the final score of 3-1. It was Hollingsworth's fourth straight game with a goal and sixth consecutive match with a point.

  "We've been talking about the elephant in the room a lot lately," Giuliano said referencing Wheaton's 15 second half goals allowed. "I'm glad to see that the elephant is a little sickly after our third straight second half shut out.  I think our guys are taking a lot of pride in that."

With the win the Thunder handed Illinois Wesleyan their first conference loss (4-1) and dropped them to 11-3 overall.  "It feels good to know that we can control our own way now and know that a team has to come into our house and take the crown away from us," Giuliano said.

Wheaton will next host Augustana on Wednesday at 7 PM at Joe Bean Stadium.