Illinois Wesleyan

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Senior Matthew Perchik (Glenview, Ill.-New Trier) sparked the Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team with a 54th-minute goal and the Titans never looked back in a 3-nil win over Augustana College at Neis Field Wednesday night, Sept. 30. The Titans bolster their record to 5-1-2 overall and 1-0-1 in league play with the win, while Augie dips to 3-2-3 on the season (0-1-1 CCIW).

The Green and White fired off 13 first-half shots to the Vikings' two, but could not find the back of the goal. Junior Gavin Young (Bloomington, Ill.-Central Catholic), senior Chris Slack (Beason, Ill.-Lincoln), and sophomore Will Smucker (Park Ridge, Ill.-Maine South) each uncorked shots but were turned away as the game went into the break scoreless.

IWU needed only eight minutes in the second half to crack the scoreboard courtesy of Perchik. Reeling in a pass from Young, Perchik buried his second goal of the season for a 1-0 lead. The strike proved to be the game-winner as Augie had no match for the Titan defense.

Eleven minutes later, following an IWU throw-in by Declan Schuler (Peoria, Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame), Smucker headed one in, doubling the lead to 2-nil. 

The Titans tacked on an insurance goal in the 85th minute thanks to the boot of sophomore Daniel Smazil (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove). Working off the assist from classmate Colby Thomas (O'Fallon, Mo.-Fort Zumwalt North), Smazil notched his first goal of the year and extended IWU's lead to three.

Senior Owen Boukalik (Northville, Mich.-Northville) picked up the shutout in between the pipes, making three stops. The clean sheet marked the sixth shutout of the season for IWU, which has allowed just one goal over its last six matches.

The Titans take a weekend off before returning to the pitch Wednesday, Oct. 7, as host to Elmhurst University. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. Live coverage can be accessed here.