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Perchik with the ball against Augie 2024
ASHTIN ELDER PHOTO
5
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
1
Spalding SPA (0-1-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
5
Final
1
Spalding SPA
(0-1-0, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 3 2 5
Spalding SPA 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Offensive Outburst Lifts Titans Over Spalding in Season Opener

Perchik's two-goal game sparks IWU

SPALDING, Ky. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team posted five goals in its season opening win to roll past tournament host Spalding University, 5-1, Friday, August 29 at the JR Hoe Invitational in Louisville, Ky. With the win, IWU boosted its record to 1-0-0 on the season, while SU dipped to 0-1-0.

Junior Matthew Perchik (Glenview, Ill.-New Trier) quickly opened the scoring for the Titans in the 10th minute of the game. The skilled forward took advantage of a Spalding turnover and knocked in a right footer into the heart of the open net for an early edge.

However, just five minutes later, Spalding answered with a goal of its own from Eddie Mendez-Perez. SU's Marlon Amaya delivered a pass in the middle of the box and Mendez-Perez headed into the bottom right of the net to level the score at 1-1.

IWU regained the lead when senior captain Jerry Smazil (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South) drove down the far side of the field and fired a shot that was blocked, but sophomore Ben Lyons (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg) corralled the loose ball at the top of the box and snuck a shot past the goalkeeper that connected with the bottom right of the net. 

The Titans added another goal in the 28th minute when Lyons lifted a pass over the defense to Perchik who headed home another goal to make it 3-1.

IWU added two more goals in the second period, both coming off the foot of freshmen. Daniel Smazil (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South) recorded his first career goal in the 69th minute of the contest as he connected for a shot that flew past the right side of the goalkeeper to up the advantage to 4-1. Dillon Baker (Coal Valley, Ill.-Moline) capped the scoring in the 78th minute, whistling one into the back of the net to polish off the 5-1 victory.

The Titans return to action on Sunday, August 31, to round out the JR Hoe Invitational. IWU will take on Centre College with a scheduled start time of 5 p.m. ET at Legacy Field in Louisville, Ky.
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