Wheaton, Ill. -- Finally returning to friendly confines after two weeks out on the road, the Wheaton men's soccer team welcomed Washington University (Mo.) to Joe Bean Stadium this afternoon for its third and last non-conference home match of the regular season. The Thunder were looking to get back to winning ways for the first time since their home-opening victory over Loras College on September 6th, and the team did just that, shaking off an early WashU goal to claim a convincing 3-1 result over their annual non-conference rivals. Saturday's victory marked Wheaton's third win over the Bears in their last four meetings and continued the streak of the Thunder scoring three goals against today's opponents at Bean Stadium. Wheaton's season record is now 2-4-1 as the start of conference play rapidly approaches.

WashU registered the first attempt on goal in this afternoon's contest eight minutes in and earned the game's first corner kick to put the hosts under early pressure. The UAA side opened the scoring after 13 minutes when their leading-scorer forward pounced on the ball in the attacking third, beat two defenders to the byline on the left side of the Thunder goal, and ripped his shot into the net with pace from a tight angle. Boasting five wins and just one defeat from their first seven matches this year and a high-scoring style, it appeared to be business as usual for the visiting Bears with this early breakthrough.

But it took Wheaton just nine minutes to find a reply and level the score at 1-1. Moving the Thunder forward in attack, Pryse Anderson and Timmy Jones carried the ball to the top of the box and exchanged a quick series of passes with each other to create an opportunity in front of goal. A WashU defender slid over to seemingly deny Jones a look at the target, but the junior managed to flick the ball sideways into the path of Anderson, who promptly steered a trademark clinical one-touch finish beyond the reach of the goalkeeper just inside the right post. (VIDEO) Both sides fashioned out a handful of scoring chances in the remainder of the first half, with the visitors drawing three saves from returning goalkeeper Mason Escalante and Jones putting an attempt on frame to go with the hosts' three corner kicks. But the scoreline remained tied at the intermission after a high-energy opening period.

The second half began in perfect fashion for the Thunder, as the home side moved into the lead just five minutes after the restart thanks to Garrett Belcher's first collegiate goal. The freshman received a lofted pass from his fellow rookie David Vezza and tried a quick shot from the top of the box that was blocked by a Bears defender. But the rebound fell back to Belcher, and he wasted no time in unleashing a lovely snapshot volley from the 18-yard line into the bottom right corner. (VIDEO)
Suddenly, Wheaton had a lead to protect against a talented opponent capable of scoring goals for fun. The Thunder sat back in a defensive shape and did not have another shot attempt in the 20 minutes following Belcher's go-ahead strike, while two WashU attackers called Escalante into action with another pair of saves.

But the game was put to bed with 19 minutes left, as Wheaton's goalkeeper went from shot-stopper to offensive playmaker. Escalante came off his line to claim an incoming cross and promptly looked up to see Anderson making a direct run into the Bears' half of the field. The senior captain wasted no time in punting a well-weighted pass into Anderson's path, and his fellow fourth-year standout kept his cool by gathering the ball at his feet, holding off the recovering defender, and poking his shot from 15 yards out under Escalante's opposite number. (VIDEO) The second goal of Anderson's brace today was his fourth of the season to take over as Wheaton's leading scorer on the year and marked the first career assist for Escalante, who put the seal on an impressive goalkeeping display with an unexpected attacking contribution.

The second half ended in similar fashion to the first, with the two teams exchanging offensive looks at either end. WashU fired off three more shots on target, and Wheaton did not simply park the bus in defense, but the Bears never looked likely to erase the two-goal deficit they now faced. Wheaton's clinical finishing in front of goal ultimately made the difference in the latest installment of the annual rivalry, and the Thunder saw out a confident victory on home turf.

The Bears took five more shots than Wheaton today and had the same superior margin of attempts on target at 18-13 and 11-6 disparities, respectively. But the Thunder earned twice as many corner kicks as their guests at an 8-4 split and the balance of possession was relatively even in Saturday's matchup.

Escalante and Anderson were the men of the match for Wheaton this afternoon, with the former making nine saves in addition to his game-sealing assist and the latter burying his two shots on target in a typically precise performance. Jones picked up the assist on Anderson's first-half equalizer and generated one effort on frame. Belcher scored what proved to be the match-winner early in the second half, and his single shot on goal figure was equaled by Cooper Falling and Luke Vander Kolk.

Fresh off of today's positive result and performance, the Thunder will venture out away from home again next week. Wheaton travels to Trine University on Wednesday afternoon before heading over to Elmhurst to begin their CCIW slate next Saturday. Kick-off in the midweek clash between the Thunder and the Thunder is scheduled for 4 PM Eastern/3 PM Central in Indiana.