ELMHURST, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team defeated Elmhurst College on Saturday, Oct. 8 by a final score of 2-1. Freshman Doug Ballard recorded a brace to defeat the Bluejays and vaulted the Titans to 2-1 in the CCIW.
 
With a victory the Titans improved 6-5-1 overall on the season while the Bluejays fell to 6-4-3 with a 1-2-1 record in CCIW play.
 
The sides drew even in the first half despite an early goal from the Titans. Ballard opened the match with a goal in the 15th minute, his second of the year. Ballard placed a hard volley on the near post off a cross from sophomore Mason Maier and freshman Justin Yaeger. With the assist Maier and Yaeger each tallied their second of the season.
 
Elmhurst wasn't down for long however, with Andrew Hicks scoring in the 25th minute of action on a rocket from 25 yards out that blew past sophomore goalkeeper Eddie Sanchez.
 
IWU held a slight shot on goal advantage in the first half, placing four on target compared to one for the Bluejays.
 
The second half was a grind for the Titans who placed four shots on goal before they were finally able to hit pay dirt. In the 85th minute, Ballard rolled a ball past the outstretched glove of Nick King for his second goal of the game and third of the season. Maier played a swift ball into Ballard for his third assist of the season.
 
In goal for the Titans, Sanchez played 45 minutes allowing a single goal while freshman Alex Ruckstaetter made one save allowing no goals in the second half.
 
What's Next?
Up next for the Titans is a bout with Wheaton College on Saturday, Oct. 15. The Thunder come to Bloomington with an overall record of 2-6-3 and an 0-2 record in the CCIW. Kick-off is set for 3:30 p.m. at Neis Field.