PICTURED ABOVE: Andrew Wade assisted on the game's only goal in Wheaton's 1-0 victory over Augustana on Friday night.

Wheaton, Ill. - The Thunder men's soccer team jumped out to an early lead on Friday night before waiting out two lightning delays and holding off the Augustana Vikings for a 1-0 victory that took just less than four hours to complete. With the victory, Wheaton improves to 7-4-1 overall and levels its record in the CCIW at 2-2. Augustana falls to 3-7 overall and 1-2 in the CCIW. Wheaton will continue its four-match homestand on Wednesday, when the Thunder host Carroll University at 7 pm.

As they had in their previous match, Wheaton took control with an early goal in the opening minutes. Playing off a foul just on the attacking side of midfield, Andrew Wade floated a perfect free kick (VIDEO) to the top of the six-yard box, finding Peter Whallon in stride. Whallon deftly sent a header down to the lower corner inside the far post to put Wheaton ahead 1-0 with 31:10 to play in the first half.
 
Wade nearly added to the lead minutes later off a corner kick by AJ Moyes, but his header floated just wide to the right and out for a goal kick. In the 29^th minute, Miseker Wingate worked free on the left side of the box and blasted a firm shot that rattled the woodwork on the near post but did not find the net, leaving Wheaton's one-goal edge to last until halftime.
 
Both defenses found their footing early in the second half as rank began to fall at Joe Bean Stadium. Wheaton's attack found several opportunities in the minutes prior to a lightning delay bringing the proceedings to a halt with 25:58 to play in the match.
 
After a delay of just over half an hour, play was able to resume for just over six minutes before it was brought to a stop by a second delay with 19:01 to play. Following a delay of over an hour, Wheaton was able to get off several shots with none threatening the net as the Thunder outlasted the Vikings for the 1-0 victory.

Wheaton ended up outshooting the Vikings 20-5 overall including 10-1 in the second half. Hasten Biddlecome made one save in the shutout effort. Jeremy Klaber of Augustana allowed one goal and made three saves.