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Men's Soccer Goal Celebration
0
Elmhurst ELMHURST (7-6-2, 3-2-1)
3
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU (4-7-1, 3-2-0)
Elmhurst ELMHURST
(7-6-2, 3-2-1)
0
Final
3
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
(4-7-1, 3-2-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Elmhurst ELMHURST 0 0 0
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 3 0 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Hot Start Fuels Titans in 3-0 Blanking of Bluejays

Fineman picks up first career shutout

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team blanked Elmhurst University 3-0 Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Neis Field. The Titans climbed to 3-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and 4-7-1 overall, as the Bluejays fell to 3-2-1 in the CCIW and 7-6-2 overall. 

Freshman goalkeeper Ethan Fineman (Highland Park, Ill.-Highland Park) recorded his fourth start between the posts for the Green and White and picked up his first shutout with the 3-0 win. Fineman was credited with a career-high four saves as the backbone in the Titan defense. 

Just over 10 minutes into the game, junior Dane Hoare (Chicago, Ill.- Von Steuben) opened the scoring for the Titans. The Chicago native took control of the ball a few yards outside Elmhurt's 18-yard box and launched the ball past the Bluejays keeper putting the Titans up 1-0 in the 12th minute. 

About five minutes later, sophomore Gavin Smith (Seattle, Wash.-Eastside Preparatory School) sent a perfectly placed ball through the Bluejays backline where senior Trevor Martin (San Diego, Calif.- St. Augustine) beat his mark in the air heading the ball into the back of the net. Smith now leads the Titans in assists with four, while Martin grabbed his second goal of the season to widen the Green and White lead, 2-0. 

The Titans kept the pressure on the Bluejays in the first 45, outshooting Elmhurst 9 to 2 (7 to 1 shots on target). The Titans capped off the first half with a one-on-one goal from senior Donovan Malone (Houston, Texas- St. Pius X). Malone beat the Bluejays' keeper on the run-out with under a minute to go in the first half to give the Titans a 3-0 advantage at the break.

Fineman was strong for the Titans in the second 45. The freshman keeper made save after save to keep maintain shutout. Just a minute into the second half the Bluejays' Hayden Madsen was on a break away looking to get the Bluejays on the board, but Fineman came out to challenge and keep the Titans lead 3-0. 

The Bluejays had six corners to the Titans two in the second half alone as Fineman and his defenders kept the ball from reaching the Titans' mesh. Around the 73 minute mark the Bluejays were at the corner once again, but it proved to be no problem for Fineman who kept an upper-90 shot from breaking the Titans shutout. 

The Bluejays continued to press, but the IWU defense held Elmhurst at bay to finish off the 3-0 victory. With the win, Illinois Wesleyan earned back-to-back wins for the first time this season and kept pace in the CCIW standings.

The Titans travel to Carroll University this Saturday, Oct. 23 for a CCIW match with the Pioneers. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start. 
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