WHEATON, Ill. – In its last home game of the regular season, the Wheaton College women's soccer team pushed hard in the second half but absorbed a 1-0 loss to Elmhurst University on Saturday.
The Thunder dropped to 4-8-3 on the season and 3-1-2 in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) contests. The Bluejays improved to 10-4 overall and 3-2 in the CCIW. Wheaton is still in second place in the conference standings after tonight's result, but third-placed Illinois Wesleyan and Elmhurst in fourth have each played one match fewer than the Thunder.
Before the game, Wheaton recognized its 10 seniors with a Senior Night ceremony at Joe Bean Stadium. The honorees were Liz Clawson, Gracie Crowder, Marissa Davis, Maddie Grinstead, Leah Harris, Lily Lindquist, Eleanor Mounts, Juliana Norman, Lucie Parrish and Julia Tallungan.
The offensive chances for both sides were minimal in the first half with five combined shots. Elmhurst's first attempt was saved by Norman eight minutes in, while Lindquist registered a chance on goal in the 24th minute. However, in the final minute before halftime, Elmhurst's Alaina Clark put her team on the scoreboard with an unassisted goal.
Wheaton pushed for an equalizer early in the second half, firing off five-straight shots between the 50th and 54th minutes. Thunder sophomore Cami Tofilon then put together a golden opportunity in the 60th minute that was saved by an Elmhurst defender.
The Bluejays turned to a physicality gameplan in the second half to preserve the lead. The visitors committed 12 fouls in the half and 18 overall in the game to go with three yellow cards.
Sophomore Calah Strong fired off two shots on goal down the stretch, but both were saved as the Thunder were ultimately kept scoreless.
The final box score saw Wheaton lead 11-8 in shots and 54-46 in ball possession. Shots on goal were even at 5-5 and Elmhurst held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks. Lindquist and Strong took three shots each, while Davis posted two attempts of her own.
Norman got the start in goal and made one save in 16:35 of action. Sophomore Lydia Martin (3-7-2 record) subbed in and played the final 73:25, making three saves with one goal allowed.
The Thunder will take a short trip to North Central College on Wednesday, October 21 for a 7:00 p.m. game in Naperville.
