Dubuque, Iowa - The Wheaton Thunder men's soccer team (0-1) opened its 2024 campaign on the road Friday night with a non-conference match at University of Dubuque. The Spartans (1-0) utilized a first-half goal as the hosts earned a 1-0 victory against the Thunder.

Wheaton's Kyle Johnson had an early shot on goal tonight as he put a shot attempt on net that was stopped by Spartans' netminder Matt Marchiori just 1:23 into the match. The next shot on goal attempt for the guests came in the 20th minute off the foot of Mason Louth. Louth's shot was stopped by Marchiori to keep the match scoreless. 

Marchiori's third save of the match was on a shot on goal by Noah Penner in the 26th minute. Dubuque's Gavin Wooldridge scored his first goal of the season in the 35th minute off of a Zach Floss assist. In the 42nd minute, Wheaton's John Hearn recorded a shot that was again stopped by Marchiori.

Wheaton out-shot the Spartans 7-3 in the first half, including a 4-2 shots on goal advantage. The Thunder had six corner kicks in the match, with Dubuque taking three. Wheaton possessed the ball for 64% of the opening half.

The Thunder defense blocked the Spartans' first shot attempt of the second half, in the 57th minute. The Wheaton offense continually attacked the Spartans' defense late in the match. In the final 11 minutes of the match, the Thunder had nine shot attempts, including three on goal, and the guests were awarded six corner kicks. However, Wheaton could not score the equalizer as the host Spartans escaped with the 1-0 victory at Oyen Field.

Wheaton out-shot the Spartans 14-3 in the second half, including a 3-0 advantage in shots on goal. The guests were awarded 11 corner kicks in the final 45 minutes, with Dubuque receiving one corner kick in the second half.

Marchiori recorded the shutout for Dubuque as he made seven saves in 90 minutes of action, facing seven shots on goal in the match. Thunder senior Mason Escalante played 90 minutes in net, making one save with one goal allowed. 

Wheaton had 21 shot attempts in the match, with seven shots on goal. Aurora had six shot attempts Friday night with two shots on goal.  The Thunder had 17 corner kicks attempts, with four for the Spartans. 

The Thunder are off until next Friday as Wheaton hosts the Bob Baptista Invitational. Wheaton entertains Loras College on September 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Joe Bean Stadium in the opening night of the tournament.