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Sam Kedzior Against Millikin on Oct. 12, 2022
0
Elmhurst ELMHURST (7-6-2, 3-3-1)
1
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU (6-7-2, 3-4-0)
Elmhurst ELMHURST
(7-6-2, 3-3-1)
0
Final
1
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
(6-7-2, 3-4-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Elmhurst ELMHURST 0 0 0
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Men’s Soccer Blanks Elmhurst to Keep Postseason Berth Alive

Kedzior carded first-career shutout

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team concluded its home portion of the 2022 schedule, Wednesday evening, Oct. 19 with a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin showdown against Elmhurst University at Neis Feld in Bloomington. IWU escaped with a huge 1-0 victory as reigning CCIW Defensive Player of the Week, freshman Sam Kedzior (Cary, Ill.-Cary Grove) earned his first career shutout between the posts.

With the win, the Green and White's record jumped to 6-7-2 (3-4-0 CCIW), while Elmhurst dropped to 7-6-2 (3-3-1 CCIW) with the setback.

The Titans manufactured their first golden opportunity in the 15th minute as freshman Joshua Cox (Encinitas, Calif.-Canyon Crest) laced a shot from inside the 18. The Bluejay keeper made a sprawling save to preserve the scoreless match. 

With most of the action taking place in the Elmhurst defensive third, the Green and White earned a corner kick opportunity in the 26th minute and took full advantage. Senior Dorian Lesiuk (Palatine, Ill.-Fremd) took the chance and sent a dangerous ball into the box that found the head of freshman Kalabi Kamau (Alpharetta, Ga.-Marist School). The ensuing header then went pinballing between two defenders. A failed clear attempt found the back of the net for an own goal as IWU welcomed a 1-0 cushion.

The remaining 20 minutes of the first half went scoreless. The Bluejays pressured the Titan back line in the final five minutes, which resulted in seven throw-ins, but could not crack the scoreboard.

IWU outshot EU in the first 45 by a tally of nine (eight on frame) to six (three on frame). Elmhurst held the upper hand in corner chances, 5-3.

The second 45 proved to be scoreless with back-and-forth action as the Titan defense kept sending clear balls down the pitch to secure the 1-0 victory. 

Illinois Wesleyan outshot Elmhurst by a final tally of 17 (10 on goal) to 14 (six on goal). However, EU secured the 9-7 advantage in corner tries. 

Cox welcomed career-highs in shots (six) and shots on goal (4) in the contest. Junior Brody Seaton (Dunlap, Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame), senior Nico Thomas (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Bethany), Kalabi, freshman Jerry Smazil (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South), and sophomore Mush Bakirdan (Morton, Ill.-Morton) each tallied at least one shot on goal.

Kedzior enjoyed his first-career shutout, totaling six saves on the night.

The Green and White will wrap up its regular season slate Saturday, Oct. 22 with another tough road test against 23rd ranked North Central College in a CCIW bout. The match is slated for 3 p.m. in Naperville and will serve as the nightcap with the IWU women's soccer team, who is set to take on NCC at noon.

 
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