PICTURED ABOVE: David Clark scored two goals in Wheaton's 3-1 victory over Carroll on Saturday night.
Wheaton, Ill. - A busy day of Homecoming activities concluded on Saturday evening with the Thunder men's soccer team posting a 3-1 victory over Carroll University at Joe Bean Stadium. Wheaton jumped to a 2-0 halftime advantage and never looked back in improving to 3-6-3 on the season and 1-2 in CCIW play. Carroll falls to 4-8-1 overall and 0-3 in the conference. Wheaton welcome Elmhurst College to Joe Bean Stadium for a 7 PM kickoff against the Bluejays on Wednesday night.
Wheaton doubled up the Pioneers with a 16-8 shot advantage including a 6-2 edge in shots on goal.
Justin Majeski earned his first collegiate victory in goal, making one save and allowing one goal. Nick Drew allowed three goals and made three saves for Carroll.
The Thunder controlled the pace of the game in the opening minutes, forcing a corner kick just 15 seconds into the match and putting pressure on the Pioneer defense. In the 27th minute, the Thunder corner kick earned Wheaton one of its five first half corner kick opportunities. Taking the corner,
Max Carey found an unmarked
Ben Bakke at the near corner of the 18-yard box and Bakke (PICTURED RIGHT)Â unleased a thundering right-footed shot that found the back of the net and gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead.
Riding the momentum of the lead, Wheaton continued to surge and nearly found a second goal just over a minute later when
Will Woodfin's header rattled the woodwork and bounced off the left post and back to him for a second header that was stopped by a highlight reel save from Nick Drew to forced the shot over the crossbar and hold Wheaton to a corner kick opportunity.
David Clark would double the Thunder lead in the 40th minute with a shot from 10 yards out off an assist from
Drew Shay to give the Thunder a 2-0 hafltime lead. Clark's second goal of the night came off a set piece from Bakke as his header drived over the top of the charging keeper to extend the lead to 3-0.
Carroll would find itself in the closing minutes when a defensive lapse led to Kieran DeGroot's first goal of the season in the 72nd minute. Riding that momenum, the Pioneers had several opportunities down the stretch but could not crack the Thunder defense.
Wheaton will continue its CCIW schedule on Wednesday night when the Thunder host Elmhurst for a 7 PM kickoff at Joe Bean Stadium.
