BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team blanked Monmouth College 4-0 on Senior Day Sunday, Sept. 20 at Neis Field. The Titans are now 4-1-1 going into conference play, while Monmouth drops to 0-8. With the win, the winningest head coach in IWU men's soccer history, Kyle Schauls, earned his 100th career win in his 13th season at the helm.
The contest recognized eight seniors; Will Eiss (Rockton, Ill.-Hononegah Community), Owen Boukalik (Northville, Mich.-Northville), Faheem Mujahid (Saint Robert, Mo.-Waynesville), Joey Rodino (Palatine, Ill.-Williams Fremd), Matthew Perchik (Glenview, Ill.-New Trier), Ryder Coleman (Bannockburn, Ill.-Deerfield), Jackson Colman (Pflugerville, Texas-Cedar Park), and Chris Slack (Beason, Ill.-Lincoln).
The Titans had full control of the match from the very start. 36 seconds into the contest, junior Ben Lyons (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg) had a shot on target but was saved by the Fighting Scots keeper. As the clock approached the one minute mark, Lyons found the ball at his feet again to pass it along to Mujahid. Mujahid notched one to give the Green and White a 1-0 lead.
IWU continued its dominance in the midfield over Monmouth. Rodino with possession passed along to Lyons for him to get one down to give the Titans' 2-0 advantage.
A little over a minute later, Mujahid kept his senior day luck going with a brace, assisted by Lyons, giving the Green and White insurance at 3-0.
IWU had 22 shots compared to the Fighting Scots' three. Monmouth saw seven saves while Boukalik saw none to end the first half.
The Titans started the second half as dominant as the first. With seniors Perchik and Rodino exchanging shots. IWU kept possession tight in Monmouth's territory. In the 72nd minute, sophomore Colby Thomas (O'Fallon, Mo.-Fort Zumwalt North) would get the perfect pass from sophomore Will Smucker (Park Ridge, Ill.-Maine South) to head the ball deep in the net to close the door on the Fighting Scots 4-0.
The Titans outshot Monmouth 37-8, holding the Fighting Scots to no corners the whole contest. Monmouth had 11 saves compared to the Titans' one save.
The Green and White are back in action in Naperville, Ill. for its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener against No. 21 North Central College. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.
