GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE: Stephen Russo netted a first-half goal in Wheaton's win at Millikin.
Decatur, Ill. – The Wheaton College men's soccer team earned a 3-2 victory at Millikin University on Saturday afternoon under cool and windy conditions. Wheaton is now 14-3-1 on the year and 5-0-1 in CCIW play.
Because of today's win Wheaton is now assured at least a share of the 2013 CCIW Men's Soccer Championship. Wheaton is slated to close out the regular season next Friday at 7 PM when it hosts North Park University. The Thunder can win the conference championship outright with a victory against the Vikings.
Stephen Russo tallied Wheaton's first goal of the match in the 42nd minute to put Wheaton up 1-0. Russo's first goal of the year was assisted by
Noah Anthony. Wheaton out-shot the Big Blue 12-1 in the first half and the Thunder led Millikin 1-0 at halftime.
Millikin tied the match at 1-1 early in the second half when Zach Solorio scored off of a Nick Abel assist. Wheaton regained the lead at 2-1 shortly after the Big Blue goal when Thunder senior
Jordan Golz was credited with a goal to give the guests the lead.
Marshall Hollingsworth (PICTURED LEFT) scored his fifth goal of the year in the 63rd minute to extend Wheaton's lead to 3-1. Millikin responded again with a goal in the 70th minute to trim the Thunder lead to 3-2 as Ed Stalter scored for the hosts. Wheaton out-shot the Big Blue 4-0 following Stalter's goal and the guests hung on for the victory. Wheaton owned an 8-2 advantage in shots in the second half.
Senior goalkeeper
Derek Babb started the match in net for the Thunder he did not face a shot on goal in his 45 minutes.
Matt Paprocki played the entire second half for the Thunder, allowing two goals in 45 minutes. Millikin netminder Daniel Sinclair made six saves and allowed three goals in 90 minutes of work in the Big Blue net. Wheaton owned a 20-3 advantage in shots for the match, including a 9-2 edge in shots on goal. Millikin was awarded five corner kicks in the match, Wheaton attempted four.
