Wheaton, Ill. -- The Wheaton Thunder men's soccer team continued CCIW play on Wednesday against the Carthage College Firebirds. Wheaton looked to increase its five-game win streak that involved a goal differential of +11, along with the program's five-match unbeaten run against tonight's opponent dating back to 2018. The Thunder's 1-0 victory upped their winning run to six, the longest such streak for the program since the 2015 season. With the win, Wheaton moved to 9-2-3 this fall and 5-0-0 in conference play, while Carthage fell to 1-8-2 and 0-3-1 in CCIW action.

The scoring got started early for Wheaton in the 5^th minute thanks to an excellent pass from Cooper Falling delivered to Ashur Eshw (pictured below). Eshw's subsequent pass was touched through to Luke Vander Kolk, who split two defenders and calmly stroked the ball into the back of the net from a narrow angle for his CCIW-leading 12^th goal of the season and Falling's sixth assist, good for second in the conference. (VIDEO)

Carthage was unable to respond as Wheaton found itself in a fantastic position for another chance. Mason Louth dribbled through the Firebird defense and delivered it to Falling, who fired off a one-touch strike but ultimately missed top right. Wheaton's next chance came off the foot of Jack Kern who forced a turnover, created space with his left foot, and delivered a strike in dangerous territory. The Carthage keeper was able to make a save on the chance, but this moment was one of many for Wheaton in the first 30 minutes of the match. The Firebirds looked to respond with their first shot on net which drew a save from goalkeeper Jack Krahel.

As the half drew to a close, Carthage got off two more shots on net which did not do much in the way of challenging Krahel. None of the visitors' shots on goal were within the penalty box, ensuring Krahel would remain comfortable throughout the half. The half was even in shots, but the Firebirds only needed to make one save. Wheaton won the possession battle, 52-48%, in the first 45 minutes of play.

Wheaton's first opportunity of the second half came in the 58^th minute on a cross from Louth looking to connect with Jack Kern. Louth's pass hit its mark and Kern headed the ball towards net, but it barely scraped over the crossbar, keeping the score 1-0.

Neither team gave an inch as the second period wore on, with an increased number of fouls on both sides and both squads preventing the other from getting a legitimate chance at extending the lead or turning the match into a tie. The increased physicality was especially apparent in the central areas of the pitch, as each team settled for conceding free kicks over letting the other create a play to get a shot on goal.

The match closed with a shot on goal from Caleb Ryan and a potential equalizer from Carthage that was blocked by Wheaton.

Vander Kolk's goal was all Wheaton needed to defeat the Firebirds, as the home side took the match 1-0. The two teams were even in shots with 12, while the visitors put more attempts on frame at a 7-5 count. The Thunder ultimately earned 57% of the game's possession, and Wheaton was able to carve out six corners to Carthage's four.

Ryan led the Thunder in shots on goal tonight with two, while Eshw, Kern, and Vander Kolk each recorded one shot on frame. The latter's early goal ended up being his sixth game-winning strike of the season, twice as many as any other CCIW player has registered this fall. Falling and Eshw were each credited with assists on Vander Kolk's finish, and two-time CCIW Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week Krahel continued his strong form with six saves this evening to collect a sixth clean sheet of the year, a total that leads the conference.

Wheaton now has a five-point cushion at the top of the CCIW standings having played a game more than second-placed North Central and third-placed Illinois Wesleyan. Next up for the Thunder is Saturday's Senior Night fixture against the Millikin Big Blue at Joe Bean Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7 PM with a ceremony to recognize the 11 seniors on this year's roster taking place immediately before the start of the match.