Colorado Springs, Colo. -- After opening the 2026 season on Tuesday with an impressive performance in a 4-1 win at Dubuque, the Thunder men's soccer team continued its travels by playing the first of two games at Colorado College this weekend. Wheaton faced off against Austin College for the first time in program history and could not manage to overturn an early deficit, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat in a clash that was short on high-quality chances. Both teams now have a record of 1-1 on the young season following this evening's contest.
The Kangaroos started the match on the front foot and controlled the balance of play in the first half, putting three efforts on goal, striking the woodwork twice, and only allowing one shot attempt by the Thunder. After hitting the crossbar nine minutes into the game, Austin snatched the lead 30 seconds later with a goal that would prove decisive.
Wheaton's best stretch of the match came towards the start of the second half, as
Isaac Lucas registered the team's lone attempt on target amidst a flurry of four corner kicks. But the SCAC side managed to preserve its one-goal advantage and stifled the Thunder's attacking intent to claim a gritty win.
Austin held a 6-5 edge in total shot attempts this evening and put three on frame while conceding just one look at goal. Wheaton carved out seven corner kicks to Austin's four and held a 55-45% tilt in possession. There were only nine fouls called in Friday's fixture, although three yellow cards were handed out.
In addition to Lucas' shot on goal,
Brody Prochnow,
Cooper Falling, and
Luke Vander Kolk each tallied attempts for the Thunder in this evening's contest.
Luke McGuire played the full 90 minutes in Wheaton's goal once again and made two saves.
The Thunder will look to bounce back on Saturday in the second of their two fixtures this weekend, as they take on Colorado College in a rematch of last year's 2-2 draw in Wheaton. The Thunder and the Tigers are scheduled to meet at 7 PM local time/8 PM Central. Colorado College defeated Whitworth University, 3-0, in its season-opener on Friday night.
