Wheaton, Ill. - A late first half blast proved to be all Wheaton needed on Saturday afternoon as the Thunder men's soccer team held off UW-Whitewater for a 1-0 victory. The victory moves Wheaton to 9-4-2 overall while handing the Warhawks their second straight loss and dropping them to 12-3-1. Wheaton will return to CCIW play on Wednesday night with a road match at Millikin University.

Wheaton outshot the Warhawks 13-6 on Saturday as the Thunder controlled the possession in their attacking half for much of the match. Hasten Biddlecome made three saves for the Thunder in recording his fourth shutout of the season. Jake King made five saves and allowed one goal for the Warhawks.

Peter Whallon put the first threatening opportunity on goal just over ten minutes into the match when Miseker Wingate found a little room down the left side and found Whallon in the middle of the box for a header attempt that send King to his left for a full-extension diving save. A steady buildup in the 29th minute found its way to Silas Galvao with King out of position but his point-blank one-timer was blocked by a Warhawk defender to preserve the shutout.

Wheaton's goal came in the 39th minute off a cleared corner kick opportunity. Justin Hill send the ball back into the box, but the ball bounced off a Warhawk defender and into a bit of space about at ten yards off the goal line. Among several defenders, Melgar worked his way free and turned loose a roundhouse rocket (VIDEO) into the net to put Wheaton on the board.

After being outshot 10-2 in the first half, Whitewater was slowly able to push the ball more consistently into their attacking half threatening with four shots and four corner kick opportunities, but the Thunder defense was up to the task, continually turning away the Warhawks to preserve the shutout.