Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton men's soccer team hosted Elmhurst University (3-6-0, 0-1-0 CCIW) on Saturday evening in the CCIW opener for both teams. The Thunder utilized two exciting first-half goals to earn a 2-0 victory against the Bluejays. Wheaton improves to 4-2-3 overall with a 1-0-0 record in CCIW action.

Wheaton controlled the pace of the match early in the first half. The second Thunder corner kick of the match led to the first goal of the evening. Senior Mason Louth's corner kick found Jack Kern by the near post. Kern headed the ball into the back of the net in the 13th minute to give Wheaton the 1-0 lead (VIDEO).

Following the Kern goal, Wheaton continued to dominate possession and less than two minutes later, it resulted in another Thunder goal. In the 13th minute, Wheaton's Ashur Eshw took the ball away from an Elmhurst player at midfield, the Thunder then booted the ball from midfield into the left side of the penalty area. As Wheaton's Cooper Falling went for the ball he was brought down by an Elmhurst player and a foul was called. Wheaton was awarded a penalty kick that was taken by Louth and saved by Elmhurst netminder Niyen Ruffin. Wes Seneff collected the deflection for the Thunder, and his ensuing shot attempt was saved by Ruffin, but the deflection off of Ruffin was collected in front of the net by Luke Vanderkolk (PICTURED LEFT) who recorded his seventh goal of the season to give Wheaton a 2-0 lead.

Elmhurst did start to add possession time in the final 20 minutes or so of the first half as Wheaton maintained its 2-0 lead at the halftime intermission. Wheaton out-shot the Bluejays 10-3 in the match, including a 6-1 advantage for the hosts in shots on goal. Wheaton's early pace and shot advantage helped the Thunder to a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Ruffin made four first-half saves and Wheaton goalkeeper jack Krahel recorded one save.

The intensity increased in the second half as six yellow cards were handed out in the half, with three for each team. Each team took seven shots in the second half, and each team was awarded two corner kicks. The Bluejays had two shots on goal in the final 45 minutes, while Wheaton had one. Krahel made two excellent saves in the second half to maintain the shutout.

Wheaton out-shot the Bluejays 17-10 in the match, with a 7-3 edge in shots on goal for the Thunder. The hosts had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Krahel made three total saves in the match in recording the shutout. Ruffin made five saves and allowed the two first-half goals.

Wheaton hosts Kalamazoo on Wednesday night in the final non-conference match of the 2025 regular season Schedule. The matchup between the Thunder and Hornets at Joe Bean Stadium begins at 6:00 p.m.