CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team found the back of the net three times in a 10 minute span of the second half while shutting out host Coe College 4-0 at Clark Field in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, Sept. 20.
 
IWU is now 3-3-1 on the season, splitting a two-game road trip in Iowa while the host Kohawks fell to 1-5-1.
 
The Titans and Kohawks played a scoreless first half despite putting up a combined 15 shots including seven on goal. IWU senior Jimmy Connolly would give the Titans the lead in the 51st minute (50:23) by putting a penalty kick shot past Coe goalie Eric Hoar for the 1-0 lead. Eric Gilbert would net his third goal of the year just 1:14 later at the 51:37 mark to give IWU breathing room with a 2-0 lead. The Titans would keep the barrage going in the 61st minute (60:55) when Connor Allen found the back of the net for the first time this season, putting any chance of Coe making a comeback to rest with Ill. Wesleyan up 3-0. Following a Kohawk foul at the 84:02 mark, freshman Ben Nielsen would make the score 4-0 IWU with a free kick from 60 yards out.
 
Oscar Chavarria and Brendan McCoy would be credited with assists for the Titans, who put up a season-high 24 shots and held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Erick Eklin picked up the victory in net for the Titans, playing 73 minutes and making five saves. Craig Kym would finish out the last 17 minutes between the pipes for IWU and would not face a single shot.
 
What's Next?
IWU welcomes No. 24-ranked Washington University (Mo.) to Neis Field on Friday, September 25. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will the Titans first home game nearly two weeks. IWU has never defeated the Bears, who lead the all-time series 12-0-2.