Wheaton, Ill. -- The second home match of the season for Wheaton's men's soccer team ended the same way as their home opener last week - with a win. The Thunder scored three times in the first 32 minutes of Wednesday's contest to earn a 3-1 win over nonconference opponents Lake Forest and improve to 2-1 on the season as a result. All three goals were steered home by different players, as Michael Martens, Zakhar Zapolskyy, and Joey Sopikiotis each put their names on the scoresheet in what was a mostly comfortable result and performance for the hosts.

The Thunder wasted no time in seizing the initiative in tonight's match with Harrison Lee needing only two minutes to put the game's first shot on frame. Three minutes later, Lee received the ball on the left wing and fizzed a dangerous pass into the Lake Forest box where it eventually fell for an eager and unmarked Michael Martens. The senior attacking midfielder scored the winning goal against the same opposition in the 87th minute of their 2018 meeting, but he needed only five to net this time around. Wheaton were the superior side from the first whistle, but a set piece delivery into the box from Lake Forest yielded an almost immediate reply. The Thunder's defensive header away failed to clear the danger, and after a returned header back across goal, Lake Forest's Johnny Presberg headed home from a few yards out to claim a surprise equalizer. As frustrating as this concession must have been to the home side, they wasted no time in searching for a way to regain their advantage, and just before the clock hit 14 minutes, Zakhar Zapolskyy provided the answer. Once again, Harrison Lee was the danger man on the left flank, and after receiving an excellent through ball from Jack Jacquet, put another teasing ball into the six yard box in front of Lake Forest's net. Michael Martens could not turn the ball home himself, but he managed to put off the Lake Forest goalkeeper and force a muffed gather that helpfully bounced into Zapolskyy's path, and the sophomore finished off the chance calmly to restore Wheaton's lead. The crowd inside the stadium were treated to a goal fest in the first fifteen minutes, and no one could be sure of what would happen next.

Wheaton generated two more shots on target in the following 18 minutes of play but couldn't find a way through for their third goal of the night until they earned a corner kick in the 32nd minute. Michael Martens received the ball on a short play routine, outmaneuvered the closest Forest defender, and put a delicious pass across the face of goal. Joey Sopikiotis arrived on the scene, and despite plying his trade in the center back position so far this year, showed the same predatory instinct in front of net that has been evident in years past and delicately flicked the ball with his heel past the stranded opposition goalkeeper to double Wheaton's lead. This goal proved to be the decisive match-clincher on the night, as Wheaton's defense held firm for the rest of the contest and Lake Forest only threatened to cut into the deficit a couple of times in the second half. Wheaton did not post another shot on target until the 90th minute, but by then the job was done, and most of the second period was spent protecting the two-goal advantage they had built in the first 45.  

Lake Forest registered more shot attempts tonight, but Wheaton were considerably more clinical with their finishing, putting seven efforts on target to just two for the Foresters. Jack Krahel only had to make one save in his 90 minutes in goal, while his two Forester counterparts who each played one half totaled four stops between them.The two teams combined for five corner kicks and 30 fouls in a physical contest. Each side received one yellow card from the head official. Michael Martens and Harrison Lee led the way for Wheaton offensively this evening, with the former earning one goal and one assist and the latter generating two assists to go with his team-high two shots on target. Each of the team's three goalscorers converted their only shot of the game in an efficient display. 21 different players saw the field for Wheaton this evening, as the team's two-goal halftime cushion provided room for second half rotation in the squad.

Joe Bean Stadium has been kind to Wheaton so far this season, but the upcoming four-game road stretch will provide a different challenge for the Thunder. The team's next match comes against Dominican this Saturday in River Forest, before a trip up to Wisconsin and two matches in Texas take place the following week.