BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - After securing the team's second, last minute, game-winning goal of the season, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team will look to carry the momentum into the program's senior day contest against College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opponent Carroll University. The match is set for Saturday, Oct. 8 at 3:30 p.m. at Neis Field in Bloomington and will serve as the nightcap with the IWU women's soccer senior day that is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Entering the crucial CCIW matchup, the Green and White boast a record of 4-5-2 (1-2 CCIW), while the Pios own a clip of 6-6 (1-2 CCIW). Both programs are currently tied for fifth place in the conference standings with five matches to play. 

Prior to kickoff, the program will recognize its class of 2023 with seven seniors and one member of the three-and-two program for their outstanding accomplishments and dedication to Illinois Wesleyan and the men's soccer program. Seniors Clayton Anderson (Morton, Ill.-Morton), Will Quane (Milford, Mich.-Milford), Ethan Holland (Bloomington, Ill.-Normal Community), Dorian Lesiuk (Palatine, Ill.-Fremd), Nico Thomas (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Bethany), Dane Hoare (Chicago, Ill.-Von Steuben), and Alex Fedorets (Mundelein, Ill.-Mundelein) will be celebrated. Junior Ben Cortes (Gurnee, Ill.-Warren Township) is a member of the three-and-two program at IWU, which means this is his last season wearing a Titan uniform.

This weekend's meeting will mark the eighth all-time contest between these two programs dating back to the 2009 season. The Titans have yet to suffer defeat in this series, owning a record of 6-0-1 against the Pios. Currently, the Green and White are enjoying a six-match winning streak when tangling with Carroll. The streak began Sept. 25, 2010, with the latest victory coming on Oct. 23 of last season. 

IWU last competed Wednesday, Oct. 5 with a road match in Rock Island against Augie. After being down in the ninth minute of play, the Titans manufactured two unanswered tallies to take the 2-1 halftime lead. A Viking goal in the 68th minute pushed the score to two apiece. With the game appearing to be heading towards a draw, Hoare had other plans. The Chicago, Ill. native laced the game-winning goal with 13 seconds left, as freshman Kalabi Kamau (Alpharetta, Ga.-Marist School) notched the helper to secure the 3-2 victory and the teams first conference win. 

Carroll, who took a break from CCIW action, battled with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Wednesday, Oct. 5. The Warhawks notched the game-winner nine seconds before halftime and added an insurance goal in the second 45 to earn the 3-1 victory. 

In the CCIW standings, for conference contests only, Gavin Smith (Seattle, Wash.-Eastside Preparatory School) is inside the top-10 in three different categories. The Seattle, Wash. native sits in third with his four shots on goal, good for a 1.33 average. Additionally, with his pair of goals, he holds down the sixth-highest mark in the CCIW as well as ninth with his 1.67 points per game average, with a total of five points. 

Freshman Sam Kedzior (Cary, Ill.-Cary Grove) has accumulated a .696 conference save percentage, which puts the Cary, Ill. native in sixth. Kedzior earned his first collegiate victory in net against Augie on Wednesday.  

For the season statistics, Smith is leading the offense with 11 points, four goals, and three helpers, both of which are team-highs. The Seattle, Wash. native has accumulated 19 shots and 11 shots on goal, which are also good for the team lead. Sophomore Justin Hart (Morton, Ill.-Morton) and junior Sasha Tylnyy (Wheeling, Ill.-Buffalo Grove) each have tallied three goals, good for six points on the year. 

Live stats for the contest will be available by clicking here, while a live video can be accessed by clicking here.