GAME STATS Kenosha, Wis. -- The Wheaton men's soccer team returned to their travels this afternoon for their third CCIW road match of the season, and Saturday's fixture at Carthage College represented an important top-half clash. Riding a five-match unbeaten streak, the Thunder knew they were in for a tough matchup against a high-scoring Firebirds outfit. But the visitors shrugged off a halftime deficit to score three times and edge their hosts by one goal to maintain their unbeaten mark in CCIW play. Coupled with North Park's surprise defeat at Illinois Wesleyan, Wheaton's conference record of 4-0-1 has the team alone at the summit of the league standings heading into the final three matches of the regular season. 

The home side needed less than eight minutes to open the scoring on Saturday. Thunder keeper Mason Escalante made a good reaction save on the initial effort fired towards goal, but the rebound was steered home from near the penalty spot. Mason Louth registered Wheaton's first shot on target four minutes later, and the remainder of the first half was an evenly-matched contest with both squads creating plenty of attacking opportunities. But neither goalkeeper was beaten again in the first period after Carthage's opener, and the hosts settled for a narrow 1-0 halftime advantage.

The goals began to flow in the second half, however, as what looked likely to be a high-scoring battle lived up to the expectations. Six minutes after the restart, Wheaton won a free kick just inside the Firebirds' half of the field. Noah Penner lofted a high delivery into the box, and Carthage's attempt to hold a high defensive line was foiled by Pryse Anderson, who timed his run perfectly to latch onto the bouncing ball. The junior forward took a clever headed touch to avoid the out-rushing Carthage goalkeeper and calmly directed his shot into the top right corner of the net to level the game at 1-1. This strike maintained Anderson's active four-match scoring run and gave the visitors a much-needed boost of belief.

Five minutes later, the Thunder turned the scoreline around when some good link-up play between Anderson and Harrison Lee on the left wing led to Lee's cross in front of goal being cleared into the net by an unfortunate Carthage defender. Wheaton took full advantage of this break, doubling their lead with 23 minutes remaining, as Anderson netted his second score of the match and 13th goal of the season. Louth's throw-in on the right sideline was controlled well by Kyle Johnson, and the second-year attacker brushed off a defender before turning and setting the ball back for Anderson. Wheaton's leading goal-poacher showed great spatial awareness and delicately guided the ball into the lower left side of the goal with a sharp first-time finish.

The Firebirds responded just one minute later with a well-worked move to halve the deficit to 3-2 and delay any premature celebrations by the visitors after their impressive turnaround. Carthage poured numbers forward in the closing stages and were able to earn a number of corner kicks and apply plenty of pressure, but the Wheaton back line held firm and did not allow any more shots on target to deny their hosts a potential late equalizer. Another high-scoring road match for the Thunder ended in a 3-2 result and a huge three points for the table-toppers.

Not for the first time this season, Wheaton were out-shot by their hosts, but once again the Thunder were considerably more clinical in front of goal, putting all seven of their attempts on target, while Carthage put nine of their 18 efforts on frame. The Firebirds created eight corner kicks for themselves, while Wheaton had three. 21 total fouls were called and three yellow cards were issued, with two of them being shown to the visitors.

Pryse Anderson was the definition of ruthless on Saturday, scoring from both of his shots on target. Kyle Johnson and Noah Penner logged their third assists of the year on each of Anderson's strikes. Mason Louth also had an active performance this afternoon, putting a team-high three shots on goal and helping set up Anderson's eventual game-winner. Mason Escalante made six saves in goal for Wheaton.

The Thunder men return to Joe Bean Stadium on Wednesday night to take on the Augustana Vikings. Kick off is set for 7 PM in Wheaton.