Men’s Soccer Edges Eureka to Earn First Win of Season

McIntosh scores first career goal

9/5/2024 9:35:00 PM

Box Score BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - After a 24 hour postponement, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team took down Eureka College Thursday night, Sept. 5, at Neis Field. The Titans (1-0-1) used a late strike to earn their first win of the season, while Eureka slipped to 1-2-0.

The game remained scoreless into the 78th minute, where the Titans took the lead as freshman Ben Lyons (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg) put a shot on frame. Lyons' shot was saved, but freshman Elsworth McIntosh (Lake in the Hills, Ill.-Harry D. Jacobs) powered the rebound into the back of the net to put the Green and White in front, 1-nil.

The Red Devil attack was much more active in the second half, nearly pulling off a late equalizer in the 87th minute, but junior Sam Kedzior (Cary, Ill.-Cary Grove) made the save. Eureka created one more chance with a free kick inside its attacking half with the clock ticking under 20 seconds, but Kedzior once again disrupted the Red Devils' game-tying attempt as he pulled the cross out of the air to close out the victory.

In the opening half, the Titans led six shots to the Red Devils one. Illinois Wesleyan's back line kept the ball away from the net as Eureka did not put a shot on frame, while IWU put three on target. Late in the half, senior Logan Tierney (Normal, Ill.-Normal Community) had a near miss on a wide open net with a high ball.

In all, IWU posted a 15-5 lead in shots, while doubling up EC in shots on goal, 6-3. Kedzior finished with three saves en route to his first shutout of the season in goal.

The Titans return to Neis Field Sunday, Sept. 8, for a match against Blackburn College. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.

Print Friendly Version