BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team defeated Augustana College on Wednesday, Oct. 25 by a final score of 2-0. With a victory, the Titans matched the program record for most conference wins in a season with five. Previously the Titans reached five conference victories in 2016, 2008, and 1995. 10 wins are the most by the Titans in the Kyle Schauls era, dating back to 2014.
 
Illinois Wesleyan improved to 10-5-1 and 5-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). Augustana fell to 2-11-2 and a 1-6 mark in CCIW competition.

Sophomore Patrick Hickey scored the game-winning goal for IWU in the 83rd minute off a pass from the wing by sophomore Josh Essary. Hickey kept things going just a few minutes later finding freshman Keagan James on a breakaway for his seventh assist of the season. James scored his fifth goal of the year by beating the goalkeeper one-on-one.
 
Neither team was able to tickle the twine in the first half of action despite six shots on goal collectively. Augustana found their best chance of the half just 17 seconds into the match, but Michael Peters was unable to beat sophomore goalkeeper Alex Ruckstaetter one-on-one.
 
Illinois Wesleyan's best chances of the first half came in the 31st minute, but the pair of shots on goal from sophomore Logan Alexander were each saved despite coming from right in front of goal.

Overall the Titans out shot the Vikings 18-8 including an 11-5 advantage in the second half of action.

Ruckstaetter made six saves in goal for IWU, a season-high for the sophomore keeper. Augustana's Jeremy Klaber made seven saves for the Vikings.
 
What's Next?
 
The Titans will wrap up regular season play in Naperville, Ill. on Saturday, Oct. 28 against North Central College. A win over the Cardinals will secure the Titans a home game for the first round of the CCIW tournament.