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Donny Cortez
2
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU (7-1-2, 1-0-0)
1
Carthage CAR (1-5-2, 0-1-1)
Winner
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
(7-1-2, 1-0-0)
2
Final
1
Carthage CAR
(1-5-2, 0-1-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 0 2 2
Carthage CAR 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Baker’s Game-Winner Gives Men’s Soccer First League Win

Freshman scored with six seconds remaining

KENOSHA, Wis. - Freshman Dillon Baker's (Coal Valley, Ill.-Moline) last-second goal gave the Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team its first win of College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play Saturday, Oct. 4. The Titans climb to 7-1-2 (1-0-0 CCIW) with the 2-1 triumph over Carthage College, while the Firebirds fall to 1-5-2 (0-1-1 CCIW). 

Illinois Wesleyan held a 23-7 advantage in shots and an 11-5 edge in shots on target. The Green and White also held a slim advantage in corner kicks (3-2). Senior Sam Kedzior (Cary, Ill.-Cary-Grove), the reigning CCIW Defensive Player of the Week, continued his strong performance this season saving four of the Firebirds five shots on goal. 

The Firebirds were first to strike, as Carthage earned a free kick 25-yards out in the 26th minute. The kick found the head of a Firebird, who flicked the ball into the top left corner of the net, giving Carthage a 1-nil lead that it would ride into halftime. 

Illinois Wesleyan had several opportunities to score later in the first period, as senior Logan Tierney (Bloomington, Ill.-Normal Community) knocked a shot off the crossbar in the 34th minute. Less than a minute later, Tierney nearly scooted one past the Firebird goalkeeper on a shot from 20-yards out, but the Carthage defense thwarted the opportunity. 

In the 58th minute, the Titans evened up the score. On a corner kick from Lyons, fellow sophomore Gavin Young (Bloomington, Ill.-Central Catholic) had his shot blocked, ricocheting to 20 yards out. Senior Kalabi Kamau (Alpharetta, Ga.-Marist School) booted it towards goal, again finding the feet of Young who found the back of the net.

IWU had several chances to go ahead in the second period. Sophomore Ben Lyons (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg) earned a free kick opportunity 25-yards out, but the Carthage goalkeeper made a diving save to keep the score level. The Titans had another opportunity with less than six minutes left on a corner kick, but were once again unable to capitalize.

The Green and White conjured some late game magic, as the Titans raced downfield with 30 seconds remaining and pressed the Carthage defense. Freshman Daniel Smazil (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South) crossed a pass into the middle of the field eight yards from the goal, where Baker gathered the pass. With time winding down, Baker slipped a shot through the outstretched legs to two Firebird defenders and kissed it in off the far post for the go-ahead goal with six seconds left on the clock to secure the win.

The Titans return to Neis Field Wednesday, Oct. 8 for a midweek CCIW battle with Wheaton College. Match time is set for 7 p.m.
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