PICTURED ABOVE: The first career goal by Nicholas Gaines gave Wheaton a 1-0 victory over the University of Chicago on Friday night.

Wheaton, Ill. - An unlikely hero emerged just in time for the Thunder on Friday night. Locked in a scoreless battle late into the match against #11-ranked University of Chicago, the Thunder turned two a freshman with only two attempted shots entering play on Friday night. Nicholas Gaines' header off a Jon Clark corner kick in the 89th minute was the only score as the Thunder earned their fourth win in the past five games with a 1-0 victory over the Maroons. Chicago falls to 7-2 on the season with the loss while Wheaton improves to 5-2-1.

In a game that saw both teams struggle to find separation and possession, Wheaton held a slim 10-6 edge in shots with both teams attempting five corner kicks. Wheaton put five of its 10 shots on goal with Chicago goalie Hill Bonin making four saves and allowing one goal. Matt Paprocki made just one save in a shutout effort.

The first half was a battle for the middle third of the field with both teams struggling to create offense. A nifty two-man set-up between Tyler Robbins (PICTURED RIGHT) and Elliot Borge nearly found the net in the 12th minute but Robbins shot from a tough angle hit the outside of the post and rolled away. Chicago had a desperate shot from long distance pound the crossbar a minute later, but bounced harmlessly down to Paprocki.

Looking for opportunities, play opened up in the early parts of the second half with Wheaton owning the possession but Chicago threatening with counter attacks. Jon Clark found the best opportunity of the game in the 50th minute when he was played open and beat the backline of the Maroons but his shot bent wide right. Marshall Hollingsworth was the benefactor of a stretch pass and used a run into the Chicago box but his attempt was thrwarted by a diving save by Bonin to keep the game scoreless in the 69th minute.

The action finally culminated in the 89th minute on a Clark corner kick that was first headed by Reed Bartley and then deftly finished by Gaines over the top of Bonin for the game's only score. Brenton Desai cracked a desperate attempt in the closing seconds that went wide right to seal the Thunder victory.

Wheaton is back in action at Joe Bean Stadium when the Thunder host Greenville at 7 PM on Tuesday, September 29.