PICTURED ABOVE: Sophomore Sarah Guidera netted a goal and added an assist in the CCIW opener.

Chicago, Ill. – The fifth-ranked Thunder women's soccer team opened conference play on Saturday afternoon with a 6-0 victory at North Park University (4-6/0-1 CCIW). Wheaton netted five first-half goals to earn the win.

Junior Leah DeMoss netted her team-best 11th goal of the year, just six minutes into the match as she gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead. DeMoss' goal was assisted by sophomore Alexa Sharkey. Wheaton scored a pair of goals within 41-seconds of each other in the 12th minute as seniors Keri Shannon and Laura Karsten each blasted long goals over the goalkeeper's head to give the guests a 3-0 lead in the 12th minute.

Sophomore Sarah Guidera headed the ball in for a goal from in front of the net, four yards out, to give the Thunder a 4-0 lead in the 22nd minute. Guidera's goal was assisted by DeMoss. Wheaton led the Vikings 5-0 at halftime thanks to an Alexa Sharkey (PICTURED LFET) goal that was assisted by Guidera in the 31st minute of the match.

Freshman Ally Witt extended the Thunder lead to 6-0 when she deftly slipped the ball into the net in the 53rd minute on an assist by Shannon.

Wheaton out-shot the Vikings 33-5 in the match, with the Thunder holding a 9-0 edge in corner kicks. North Park goalkeeper Katie Ibarra made 10 saves, with six goals allowed in the Vikings' net. Wheaton netminder Hilary Barreto made two saves in posting her first shutout of the season.

Wheaton is now 9-2 on the year and 1-0 in CCIW action. The Thunder will travel to Carthage College on Tuesday night for a conference match against the Lady Reds.