GAME STATS Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Wheaton women's soccer team took an early lead and held on to the lead on Tuesday afternoon in a 3-2 victory at Calvin College (0-1). Wheaton, ranked fourth in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III rankings, improves to 3-0 on the season. The Thunder will travel to Spokane Washington for a pair matches this Friday and Saturday at the
Whitworth University Soccer Classic.
Wheaton attacked the Knights' defense throughout today's match, with a 26-11 advantage in shots. In the first half, the Thunder out-shot Calvin 11-7 with one goal in the 30th minute to give Wheaton the lead. Senior
Keri Shannon collected a rebounded shot that originated off a corner kick to give the Thunder a 1-0 edge that the guests would continue to hold at the halftime intermission.
Each team netted a pair of goals in the second half, as the Thunder out-shot the hosts 15-4. Wheaton started the flurry of scoring in the second half when senior
Val Lelle (PICTURED LEFT) headed the ball into the net off a cross from
Sydney Sharkey in the 54th minute. Calvin reached the scoreboard in the 64th minute when
Paige Capel scored on a breakaway goal to trim Wheaton's lead to 2-1. Wheaton extended its lead to 3-1 in the 73rd minute when a shot by
Leah DeMoss was deflected and then collected by
Annie Hamilton. Hamilton scored on the rebounded shot to give Wheaton a critical two-goal lead. Less than three minutes after Hamilton's goal, Calvin responded with a goal by Kelly Koets off of a free kick to cut the Wheaton advantage to 3-2. Wheaton held on for the victory.
Wheaton's barrage of shots resulted in 13 saves for Calvin goalkeeper Ashton Hearn, with three goals allowed. Wheaton netminder
Hilary Barreto made two saves and allowed two goals. The Thunder took 13 corner kicks in the match, while Calvin had two.
