Waukesha, Wis. -- The Wheaton women's soccer team took to the road for the penultimate match of its regular season slate on Wednesday night, heading north across the state line to face the Carroll University Pioneers. The first-placed Pioneers were made to work hard for the three points tonight by a resolute Thunder side but maintained their perfect record in CCIW competition this year with a narrow 1-0 result. Wheaton's record is now 6-9-1 on the year with a 3-3-1 mark in conference play heading into next week's regular season finale.

The first half of tonight's match was a scoreless draw between the two teams, with the visitors limiting an experienced Carroll attacking unit to just two shots on target. The game's only goal arrived in the 56th minute in the middle of a 14-minute stretch where the two sides exchanged pairs of efforts on frame. Wheaton fashioned out a corner kick opportunity not long after falling behind, but the league leaders prevented the Thunder from firing off any more shot attempts in the closing stages of the contest and saw out a home win to retain their spot atop the CCIW table.

The Pioneers posted 11 shots to Wheaton's six across the 90-minute encounter, but the Thunder allowed just four efforts on goal in a solid defensive display. Both goalkeepers made three saves on the night, and Carroll earned three more corner kicks than its guest. Wheaton enjoyed 53% of the possession on Wednesday, impressively earning more of the ball than the first-placed squad in the conference. 

Katherine Ashley, Mia Blair, and Grace Crowder accounted for the Thunder's three attempts on target in tonight's contest, while Elizabeth Netz made three stops in the Wheaton goal.

With one match left to play in the regular season, the Wheaton women's team is currently third in the CCIW standings, although this may change depending on Saturday's results when the Thunder have their bye weekend in the conference rotation. Wheaton returns to action next Wednesday night against North Central College, and the Thunder will be aiming to secure a spot in the upcoming CCIW Tournament. Kick-off between the suburban sides is set for 7 PM at Bean Stadium next week.