The Wheaton Women’s soccer team was able to beat Elmhurst College yesterday 3-1 after they finished out the regular season as CCIW champions.
Wheaton beat Millikin University 5-0 on Wednesday, Oct. 25 and sealed their CCIW champions title. With goals from junior Maddie Peebles, freshman Izzy Oliver, sophomore Bailey Wolf, freshman Emma Fisler and junior Hannah Cockrum, the Thunder shutout Big Blue. Senior goalie Kathryn McGregor played through the first half and freshman goalie Madison Lee was able to keep Millikin out of the for the rest of the game.
Yesterday night the Thunder played Elmhurst College in 40 degree weather with constant rain or drizzle. Wheaton was able to out-play the Bluejays at every turn of the game. With a total of 14 shots, and five shots on goal, the Wheaton women kept consistent pressure on Elmhurst’s goalkeeper.
Around the 22nd minute, Peebles headed the ball into the net off of an assist from junior midfielder Anna Saunders. Wheaton then scored twice more within the next 10 minutes. Saunders corner kicked the ball straight into the net, and then Oliver set up junior Chelsea Gnan, who headed the ball into the net.
Elmhurst was able to score once with less than 25 minutes left in the game, but they did not get the ball past Lee again, who substituted in for McGregor at the end of the first half. Wheaton went on to win the game with a final score of 3-1.
Wheaton’s opponent for Saturday’s CCIW Tournament Final will be Illinois Wesleyan University after IWU beat Carroll University 2-1 yesterday night. IWU’s own freshman soccer star Cameron Hindel scored the first goal of that game in the 52nd minute. Hindel has totaled 30 points this season with 13 goals and four assists.
Oliver was named CCIW Offensive Player of the Week after the Thunder’s victory over Millikin, has scored 13 goals this season and has had two assists.
On the defensive side of the ball, IWU’s freshman goalkeeper Kelli McCarthy has had nine shutouts this season, allowed 15 goals and has made 56 saves. McCarthy has played the majority of IWU’s game minutes, while the Thunder has been able to split many games between starter McGregor and backup Lee.
McGregor has allowed 15 goals this season, made 43 saves and has had four shutouts. Lee has allowed three goals and 11 saves and has had one shutout herself.
In their last meeting, Wheaton was able to beat IWU 2-0 with scores from Peebles and Oliver.
Photo by McKenzie Gallagher