PICTURED ABOVE: Mary Pettit scored the game-winning goal in the first minute of Wheaton's 1-0 victoy at Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday.
Bloomington, Ill. - What was old was new again for the Thunder women's soccer team on Saturday afternoon. Playing last season's CCIW Tournament Championship on the road at top-seeded Illinois Wesleyan, Wheaton scored in the fourth minute of the match and held on for a 1-0 victory over the Titans. This time it was a first minute goal that gave Wheaton a 1-0 victory at Illinois Wesleyan and pushed the Thunder past the Titans and into first place in the CCIW standings.
With the victory, Wheaton has now won six of its last seven games and leveled its record at 7-7 overall and 4-1 in CCIW play. Illinois Wesleyan is now 7-5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference action.
Illinois Wesleyan controlled the majority of the offensive action, outshooting the Thunder 8-3 with a 5-1 edge in shots on goal.
Kathryn McGregor made five saves in recording her fifth shutout in the last six games. Katie Denney allowed one goal and did not make a save in her 90 minutes between the posts.
An early foul by Illinois Wesleyan set-up the game's only scoring play. Katie Denney answered the initial free kick chance with a save but
Mary Pettit was ready with a header off the save that gave the visitors the lead just 53 seconds into the match. McGregor (PICTURED RIGHT)was called into action in the 27th minute for her first and only save of the first half to keep the game scoreless into the intermission.
Illinois Wesleyan's best chance of the second half came in the 70th minute when Sarah Trach's shot was denied by the crossbar, keeping the Titans off the board. McGregor made two saves in the final ten minutes to complete the 1-0 shutout.
"Illinois Wesleyan always brings out the best in us," said head coach
Pete Felske. "Though the game was ragged and not pretty to watch, both teams played hard. When you score early it gives you a boost of confidence and confidence is something we need right now. It was a good conference win."
Wheaton will next be in action on Wednesday, October 19, when the Thunder host Augustana at 4:30 PM at Joe Bean Stadium.
