BLOOMINGTON, Ill.- The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team will begin its home portion of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin schedule Wednesday, Oct. 8, as Wheaton College rolls into Bloomington, Ill. and Neis Field. Using a last second game-winning goal by freshman Dillon Baker (Coal Valley, Ill-Moline) against Carthage College Saturday Oct. 6, the Titans look to add to their three-game win streak, owning a 7-1-2 (1-0 CCIW) record. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m under the lights at Neis Field.

IWU enters CCIW play off the heels of a successful non-league slate dropping just one match with a defense that has impressed all season. After being honored as CCIW Defensive Player of the Week senior Sam Kedzior (Cary, Ill.-Cary-Grove) picked up right where he left off stopping four shots against Carthage and allowing just one goal. Staying on the defensive side of the ball, senior Kalabi Kamau (Alpharetta, Ga.-Marist School) assisted on the first of two goals for the Titans against Carthage. A corner kick broke from the chaos in front of the net, and found its way back to Kamau who volleyed it towards the front of the goal to the foot of sophomore Gavin Young(Bloomington, Ill.-Central Catholic) who evened the score 1–1. 

Watching several opportunities go by the wayside and time tick off the clock, the Titans had magic left in their boots. With less than 15 seconds remaining, freshman Daniel Smazil (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South) zipped a pass to Baker who navigated a shot through defenders legs and passed by the Firebirds' goalkeeper for the game-winning goal. 

Leading the charge for the IWU offense has been sophomore Ben Lyons (Orland Park- Carl Sandburg) who sits atop the list in points (13), and goals (5). His five scores stamps him in third in the CCIW. Adding another assist against Carthage, junior Ryder Coleman (Bannockburn, Ill- Deerfield) has recorded a point in the last three matches. His four assists sets the pace for the club, with senior Logan Tierney (Bloomington, Ill-Normal Community) following with three.

The Illinois Wesleyan offense gained a key member to the attack line in junior Matthew Perchik (Glenview, Ill.-New Trier) who returned against Carthage after being sidelined with an ankle injury versus Illinois College.

Wheaton enters the mid-week match on a three game win streak and a 6-2-3 (2-0 CCIW) mark with conference victories over Elmhurst University (2-nil) and North Park University (1-nil). During its three-game win streak, the Orange and Blue have produced three shutouts, and have registered six goals over the span. Luke Vander Kolk anchors the attack for the Thunder, he has scored in six consecutive games and ranks first in the conference in goals (10) and points (22). His four game-winning goals also tops the conference which includes the lone goal against North Park Saturday, Oct. 4. Graduate student Jack Krahel patroles the net for the Thunder. In 11 starts, he has allowed 14 goals and etched 30 saves to a 1.27 goals against average. The Mableton, Ga. native has recorded four shutouts.

Illinois Wesleyan came out victorious, 2-nil, in the lone meeting between the two a year ago, but Wheaton has dominated the history of the series holding a 32-6-1 record against the Titans. IWU also upended the Thunder thanks to a 7-6 edge in PKs November 1, 2023 to send the Titans to the CCIW Tournament Championship.

Wednesday's conference home opener can be viewed via a live stream at iwusports and followed along with live stats via iwusports. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. under the lights of Neis Field.