Dubuque, Iowa – The Thunder women's soccer team defeated Loras 1-0 on Saturday night in a NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament Second Round match. Tonight's win advances the Thunder to the NCAA Tournament Sectional round for the first time since 2013.
Wheaton applied pressure early in the match, with a 5-1 advantage in shots over the first 15 minutes. Freshman Carney Blake blasted a long shot from 30-plus yards out just over the hands of Loras goalkeeper Kaylee Koble, and into the goal, at 15:44 to give Wheaton the early 1-0 lead.
The Thunder owned a 9-5 advantage in shots in the first half, including a 4-0 edge in shots on goal. Wheaton had four corner kicks, Loras had none.
The Duhawks attacked the Thunder defense on several occasions in the final 10 minutes, including a terrific opportunity with 7:50 remaining in regulation. Loras batted the ball around several times directly in front of the net, but the Thunder defense cleared the ball to maintain the 1-0 advantage. Loras held a 9-8 advantage in shots in the second half and a 4-1 edge in corner kicks
Senior goalkeeper
Kathryn McGregor made one save to record her third-consecutive shutout in Wheaton's postseason run. The Thunder shut out Illinois Wesleyan, 1-0 in the CCIW Tournament Championship, topped Knox 2-0 last night in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament and followed that up with tonight's 1-0 victory.
Coble made four saves in the Duhawks' net and allowed one goal.
Tonight's shutout marks the first time in 20 matches this season that Loras has not scored at least one goal in a match. Wheaton improves to 15-4-3 and Loras concludes the year at 15-2-3. Wheaton has won nine matches in a row and is 11-0-1 in its last 12 contests.
Wheaton will face University of Chicago next week in the Sectional semifinal. The Maroons advanced on Saturday with a 4-0 victory against Hope College in the Second Round. The NCAA will announce locations and game times on Monday morning.
