GAME STATS PICTURED ABOVE: Matt Paprocki made nine saves in Wheaton's 1-0 loss to Whitworth on Saturday night.

Wheaton, Ill. - The #15-ranked Wheaton men's soccer team suffered its first defeat of the young season on Saturday with a 1-0 loss to Whitworth University. The Pirates (2-0) scored the game's only goal with just over three minutes remaining in the game. The loss drops the Thunder to 1-1 on the season.

Wheaton took the loss despite outshooting the Pirates 33-17, however Whitworth held a 10-6 edge in shots on goals. Matt Paprocki took the loss, allowing one goal in 90 minutes while making nine saves. Tony Waters made six saves to earn the win for Whitworth.

Whitworth held the advantage in play in the opening minutes on Saturday night but as the game unfolded, it became a wide open battle for possession in the midfield. Whitworth had the first threatening chance of the game when Michael Ramos broke through and maneuvered around Paprocki but his shot hit the near post and bounced out wide. Despite a total of 29 shots in the first half, neither team was able to score and the game was knotted at zero at halftime.

The second half brought a chippy affair with physical defending becoming the common theme for the match. Four yellow cards were handed out in total as both teams tried to bottle up breakaway attempts from the opposing side. The Pirates looked to have the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute when Ramos again broke free but Paprocki came rushing off his line to thwart the attempt.

Wheaton responded several minutes later when Noah Anthony threatened the Pirates back line at the top of the box but couldn't get a clear shot and Whitworth was able to keep the game scoreless. Finally in the 87th minute, Ramos found a streaking Sam Engle who slotted the ball past an oncoming Paprocki to give the Pirates the lead. Wheaton threatened in the games final seconds when Adam Blackman (PICTURED RIGHT) had a shot blocked that led to a corner kick, but the Pirates were able to clear and preserve the victory.

Wheaton will next be in action on Friday, September 5 when they host Calvin College at 7 PM at Joe Bean Stadium. The game will be featured as the NSCAA TV National Game of the Week.