BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team began the 2023 season with a 1-nil win over Washington University in St. Louis Friday night, Sept. 1, under the lights at Neis Field. With the win, the Titans (1-0) earned the program's first win against the Bears (0-1) all-time.

After a fairly even first half, Illinois Wesleyan broke through in the 63rd minute. Moments after pushing a shot just outside the far post, freshman Faheem Mujahid (Saint Robert, Mo.-Waynesville) put the Titans on the scoreboard with his first collegiate goal. Finding a seam in the center of the field, Mujahid split a pair of defenders and fired a shot into the back of the net, pushing the Green and White ahead, 1-nil.

WashU created a few potential opportunities in the next 10 minutes, but the IWU defense thwarted each attempt to keep the one-goal lead intact and hold on for victory.

Sophomore Sam Kedzior (Cary, Ill.-Cary Grove) finished the match with two saves en route to his first career shutout. WashU tallied nine shots to IWU's seven, but the Titans put three on frame to the Bears' two shots on target. 

Illinois Wesleyan hits the road for the first time in 2023 Wednesday, Sept. 6, with a match at Aurora University. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.