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Mush Bakirdan vs Aurora on Sept. 10 2022
Kodiak Creative
1
Wabash Wabash (8-2-1, 1-0-0)
1
Ill. Wesleyan IWU (3-4-2, 0-1-0)
Wabash Wabash
(8-2-1, 1-0-0)
1
Final
1
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
(3-4-2, 0-1-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wabash Wabash 1 0 1
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Bakirdan’s Equalizer Earns Draw with Wabash

Titans notch a 3-3-1 non-conference record for the year

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team wrapped up its non-conference portion of the schedule, Tuesday, Sept. 27 with a home match against Wabash College at Neis Field. After being down early, sophomore Mush Bakirdan's (Morton, Ill.-Morton) 34th-minute equalizer earned a draw for the Green and White. With the tie, IWU's record now sits at 3-4-2, while the Little Giants record stands at 8-2-1.

The Titans fell behind in the fourth minute as WC utilized a nifty pass to strike first and take the early 1-0 lead.

Wabash continued to put pressure on the Green and White defense throughout the opening 45 that led to 15 first-half shots, compared to IWU's seven. 

However, the Titan defense created a turnover and found some open grass in the 34th minute. IWU pushed the ball down the pitch, earning a free kick just outside of the 18-yard box. Bakirdan took full advantage of the opportunity as the sophomore sent a right footed bender that whizzed past the Little Giants' wall and keeper. The free kick sailed into the upper-left portion of the net, good for the equalizer. 

Sitting at 1-1 after the break, both squads saw early back-and-forth action. 

IWU's best opportunity came when the Wabash keeper took a goal kick. The ensuing kick bounced off of his teammate near the 16-yard box, which led to a two-on-one advantage for the Titans. The keeper managed to swallow up the shot, thwarting the prime chance. 

With about 15 minutes remaining in the contest, the Little Giants sustained pressure, leading to four corners. The IWU defense held of WC's chances to keep the even score intact.

In the end, Wabash was credited with 23 shots (nine on goal), while IWU notched 13 shots (six on frame). The Little Giants accumulated 11 corner chances compared to the Titans one. Both programs were whistled for nine fouls apiece. 

Freshman Sam Kedzior (Cary, Ill.-Cary Grove) earned the start between the posts, playing all 90 minutes. The Cary, Ill. native racked up eight saves on the night. 

Bakirdan recorded half of the team's shots on goal, with three. Senior Dane Hoare (Chicago, Ill.-Von Steuben), freshman Kalabi Kamau (Alpharetta, Ga,-Marist School), and junior Gavin Smith (Seattle, Wash.-Eastside Preparatory School) each tallied one shot on goal. 

The Green and White will continue College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action by taking on Wheaton College, Saturday, Oct. 1 with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Neis Field. The match will serve as the nightcap of a double dip with the IWU women's soccer team, who is scheduled for a 1 p.m. contest at Neis.
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