BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Illinois Wesleyan men's soccer team defeated Elmhurst College by a final score of 3-2 in double overtime on Saturday, Oct. 7. Junior Mason Maier came off the bench in the second overtime period before scoring the game-winning goal in the 106th minute, his fifth of the season.

With a victory the Titans improved to 7-4-1 with a 2-1 record in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). Elmhurst fell to 6-4-2 and 2-2 in CCIW play.

Sophomore Alex Ruckstaetter made his return to the line-up in style, collecting five total saves and making tough plays on the ball all afternoon to keep IWU in the game.  Ruckstaetter made one save during the second overtime period. Elmhurst's Nick King made just two saves on goal and allowed three.

KEY MOMENTS

• Freshman Keagan James opened the scoring in the 25th minute with an angled finish from just outside the six-yard box. Sophomore Patrick Hickey recorded the assist on the play.
• Just three minutes later Elmhurst tied the game at 1-all with a header from Josh Arvidson.
• Junior Ben Nielsen tallied his first points of the afternoon with a goal from 20 yards out in the 31st minute, giving IWU a 2-1 lead heading into the half. Sophomore Jack Dilger fed Neilsen for the goal.
• Elmhurst's David Bez knotted the game up at 2-apiece in the 50th minute, scoring back post.
• Maier slotted home the game-winning goal in the 106th minute off a throw-in from Neilsen. Maier's high-arcing lob fell just past the outstretched glove of Elmhurst's King.

NOTABLES

• Despite a 3-2 victory, the Titans were out-shot 16-9 overall and 7-5 in shots on goal.
• Elmhurst held a 7-4 advantage on corner kicks.
• Hickey was the lone Titan with a recorded shot on goal that didn't score.

What's Next?

Illinois Wesleyan plays on the road against Wheaton College at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14. Typically a power in the CCIW, Wheaton holds just a 4-7 mark during the 2017-18 season.