Wheaton, Ill. --- The Wheaton Thunder returned home to Joe Bean Stadium after a 1-0-1 trip to Tacoma, Washington. The Thunder took on the University of Chicago Maroons for the 79th time in program history. This non-conference matchup had a conference feel to it, finishing 0-0 after 90 minutes.

Evan Kanellos started the attack early with the first shot on goal, and UChicago kept their foot on the gas early on 1st through 9th minute. A fantastic hustle from Jack Kern in the 10th minute set the Thunder up for a potentially fantastic chance but it was snuffed out by the Maroons.

The first corner kick opportunity came in the 13th minute from Wheaton College. After said corner, Wheaton took back some momentum spending the majority of the 14-18th minutes in UChicago territory. Both teams looked to set the tone early, with a high pace and neither team playing conservative. UChicago was especially aggressive with Mason Louth drawing a yellow card early. 

Wheaton sought to break through early, getting off five shots within the first 20 minutes with the majority of their dangerous opportunities coming from set pieces and having a more difficult time creating chances on the fly. Ashur Eshw was able to get Wheaton's first and only shot on goal off in the 29th minute, created by a free kick from Sam Grotelueshen. The low drive challenged the UChicago keeper but was ultimately done away in a solid effort. 

The Maroons responded quickly in the 31st minute with a shot on goal saved by Jack Krahel and three more shots preceding. Neither the Thunder nor the Maroons gave an inch in the final minutes with a fantastic chance created by Wheaton that was cleared by the Maroon defense. Cooper Falling had the best opportunity for the Thunder in the first half with a volley that was ripped off the left post and out. That created a breakaway chance for the Maroons which was held off by Krahel for his fourth save . 

The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Despite the scoreless line, the energy stayed high and carried into the second half. The Maroons got off a tough shot in the 47th minute, Krahel made another great save getting his fingertips on it, sending it careening off the post and out of danger. 

UChicago was granted another opportunity on a free kick created by a penalty in the 54th minute that was once again, done away with by the Thunder defense. Pressure continued from the Maroons with a free kick just outside the penalty box that hit off the post, another shot that snuck just over the top right corner of the goal, and finally, a corner kick that was tipped by the Thunder defense and solved with a goal line clearance by Luke Vander Kolk and grabbed by Krahel all within the 57-62nd minutes of the match. 

Wheaton halted momentum in the 65th creating their own opportunity. Ashur Eshw was able to lose his defender going from his right foot, reversing to his left and creating space just atop the box. Just missing the top left corner, some momentum was regained for the Thunder as the second half continued to move.

As the clock continued to tick, there was a growing sense, both in the stands and on the pitch, that one goal would be all it took to take this match. As such, intensity grew with each passing moment, each group seeking to out-physical the other.

A corner in the 81st minute from Craig Rusin gave the Thunder their best opportunity in the second. Issac Lucas made a significant impact on the game late despite getting 18 minutes. Lucas set up Kern for a great chance in what would be Wheaton's final shot of the game and also provided some serious physicality on a clearance which helped maintain a 0-0 score. 

This was a match between two teams which came in very strong on opposite ends of the pitch, the Thunder had scored two or more goals in every match up to this point whereas the Maroons had shut out their previous two opponents. 

University of Chicago had the advantage in the shots department that was knotted 11-11 at the end of the first half but Wheaton was out shot 13-4 in the second half. Defense tightened up extra in the second half as neither team managed a shot on goal, though Krahel was stout in the opportunities where he was challenged. 

Both teams were carded twice, each being yellows and they were even on corners with six apiece. 

Vander Kolk and Eshw registered four shots, Kern and Snelling two shots, and Yamada, Louth and Rusin each with one. Eshw registered the only shot on frame today for the Thunder.

This hard-fought battle will be followed up with a contest at Joe Bean against the University of Dubuque at 7 PM on Saturday.