Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton men's soccer team stunned ninth-ranked University of Chicago, 1-0 on Wednesday night at Joe Bean Stadium. Wheaton is now 4-1-0 on the season and the Maroons take their first loss of the year to fall to 5-1-1. Senior Joey Sopikiotis scored the game-winner for the Thunder in the 89th minute and Wheaton held on for the victory (VIDEO).

The contest was scoreless at 0-0 at the halftime intermission. Chicago had the advantage in the pace of play in the first half with a 9-3 advantage in shots for the guests, including three shots on goal to one for the Thunder.

The second half of the match held drama throughout. Wheaton was fouled in the penalty area at the 55:32 mark of the match and Wheaton was awarded a penalty kick. Chicago goalkeeper Calvin Walters saved the PK shot and kept the match scoreless at 0-0. Nine of Chicago's 11 shots in the second half were in the final 20 minutes, including five shots on goal. Three of Chicago's shots on goal in the final 20 minutes were saved by Wheaton goalkeeper Hasten Biddlecome (PICTURED LEFT) and the Thunder defense made two saves in that stretch as well.

Wheaton played down a man for the final 13:26 of the match as the officials gave a Wheaton player a red card and 10 players remained on the field for the hosts. Chicago's leading goal scorer, Ryan Yetishefsky took aim at the net from about five yards from the goal and shot at an angle in an attempt to give his team a 1-0 lead at 84:20 into the match. Wheaton's Drew Beamer came running in and kicked the ball out just before it entered the goal to preserve the 0-0 score.

Approximately four minutes after Beamer's (PICTURED RIGHT) game-saving play, the Thunder offense collected the ball and quickly moved the ball upfield. Harrison Lee collected a loose ball about 30 yards from the goal. He headed it to Sopikiotis at the top left corner of the penalty area and Sopikiotis volleyed the ball into the top left corner of the goal to put the hosts up 1-0 with just 1:44 remaining in the match. Chicago furioulsly attempted to even the match in the closing minute, including another shot on goal that was kicked away by the Thunder defense. Wheaton held on for the dramatic homefield win.

Chicago held a 20-5 advantage in shots for the match, including an 8-3 edge in shots on goal. Each team was awarded four corner kicks.

Biddlecome was stellar in net for Wheaton with six saves. The Thunder defense made two key team saves in the final six minutes as the Thunder had eight total saves in the match. Walters made two saves for the Maroons, including the stop of the Thunder penalty kick early in the second half.

Wheaton returns to action on Saturday as the Thunder host Alma College at 7:00 p.m.