PICTURED ABOVE: Sydney Sharkey netted two assists in Wheaton's 4-1 win over Calvin on Tuesday night.

Wheaton, Ill. - The Thunder women's soccer team opened its 2015 campaign on Tuesday night with a 4-1 victory over Calvin College under the lights at Joe Bean Stadium. Four different Thunder players found the back of the night and seven recorded points in Wheaton's season-opening victory. Wheaton also opened last season with a 4-1 victory, beating fellow MIAA foe Hope College. Wheaton will carry its 1-0 record into Friday's 4:30 PM home tilt against #10-ranked William Smith College in the Bob Baptista Invitational.

The Thunder outshot the Knights 15-8 in the match including an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal. Wheaton attempted nine corner kicks to Calvin's two. Wheaton's Abbey Fuster took the win in goal for the Thunder, allowing one goal and making one save. Calvin's Holly Ellerbroek allowed four goals and made four saves.

Calvin dominated the early possession but a long ball over the top of the Calvin back line sprung Ally Witt (PICTURED RIGHT) on a breakaway that was stopped by a sprawling full extension save by Ellerbroek to keep the game scoreless. Late the 11th minute Morgan Whitman rattled the woodwork with a header that hit the crossbar and glanced over the bar. Finally on Wheaton's third shot of the game, Wheaton was able to crack the scoreboard. Taking advantage of yet another long ball over the top of the Calvin defense, this time from Annie Wooldridge, Ally Witt outraced the Knights defense and deftly lofted a one-touch shot over the on-rushing Ellerbroek to put Wheaton ahead 1-0.

Ten minutes later, Sydney Sharkey stemmed a Calvin momentum swing by outracing the Knights down the sideline and playing a beautiful centering pass to the top of the six-yard box that was headed into the net by Kristin Rauh to give Wheaton a 2-0 lead at the 24:55 mark. Calvin was able to keep the score at 2-0 with a timely blocked shot off the foot of Chelsea Gnan on an odd-man rush late in the half and teams would head to halftime with a two-goal difference.

Early in the second half, Morgan Whitman was able to find the net in traffic and give Sharkey her second assist of the night and the Thunder a three-goal advantage. Calvin narrowly missed getting on the scoreboard in the 70th minute when Paige Capel's shot rolled wide left but the Knights would find the scoreboard minutes later when Emily VanVeldhuizen deflected a ball into the box off a set piece to cut the Thunder lead to 3-1 in the 74th minutes.

Minutes later, freshmen Madison Peebles made her first career start one to remember by slotting a shot past Ellerbroek to make it 4-1. Peebles' shot was a one-time effort after a beautiful through ball from Sarah Frey. Abbey Fuster made a late save on a shot from Kailey Jo that cemented the final margin at 4-1.

Wheaton will remain at home this weekend when the Thunder host William Smith College, Emory University and University of Puget Sound in the 2015 Bob Baptista Invitational. Wheaton will face William Smith at 4:30 PM on Friday and Puget Sound at 4:30 PM on Saturday night.