GAME STATS Spokane, Wash. – The Thunder men's soccer team,
ranked seventh in this week's NSCAA Division III Coach Poll, earned a 2-0 victory against Pacific Lutheran University (1-3) on Friday afternoon in the first day of action at the Whitworth Soccer Classic. Wheaton, now 3-0 on the year, will play the tournament's final match on Saturday with a 3 PM (PDT) contest against the host Pirates of Whitworth.
The contest was tied 0-0 at halftime, despite an 11-4 edge for the Thunder in shot attempts. Junior
Stephen Russo broke the scoreless tie with his first goal of the year at the 62:14 mark of the match. Russo headed in an
Adam Blackman pass to give the Thunder the 1-0 edge.
Less the four minutes later junior
Josh Clark extended Wheaton's lead to 2-0 when he converted a penalty kick to register his team-best fourth goal of the year. Wheaton out-shot the Pirates 9-6 in the second half.
Wheaton goalkeeper
Ryan Seager (PICTURED LEFT) made two saves in posting his second shutout of the year. The senior captain has not allowed in the two matches he has appeared in this season. Pacific Lutheran netminder Joe Rayburn made eight saves and allowed both Thunder goals in 90 minutes of work. Wheaton held a 20-10 advantage in shots, while Pacific Lutheran had a 9-4 edge in corner kicks.
