On Tuesday Sept. 25, the Wheaton Women’s Soccer team ranked number 22 nationally, beat the number 3 ranked University of Chicago Maroons. This was a big win for Wheaton, as it handed the Maroons their first loss of the season, knocking off the third ranked team in a top 25 game. After the Maroons pulled ahead with a goal from #4, Adrianna Vera, in the 14th minute of the game, the Thunder continued to fight and stave off more goal attempts by the Maroons. Just before the break for half time, #5, freshman Aeva Graber, scored for the Thunder, assisted by #15, sophomore Isabelle Oliver, giving the Thunder momentum and energy going into the second half. With a tied score, both teams were running, shooting and playing their hardest to try to get the upper hand. The Thunder pulled out a 2-1 win over the Maroons when Oliver, assisted by #16, freshman Sara Bakke, scored the game winning goal in the 75th minute of the game to take the win. When asked how she felt after the game, Oliver said, “I think it took a minute for it to sink in for most of us as we were exhausted after the game and we have not beaten them in over four years.”
Both teams’ goalies played tremendously, but the Thunder goalie, #0, freshman Lauren Ketchum saved six direct shots, only allowing one goal against. Having her as a backstop for the team allowed them to use their grit in the offensive end to eventually pull ahead to get the win. After the game, Coach Pete Felske described his team as “gritty, and gutty” and encouraged his team beforehand to “sell out” both offensively and defensively. With that mentality, the Thunder squad did not give up after being scored on first and working from a deficit from the start. Their strong work ethic has brought them to win seven games already this season and will set them up to continue to win against teams that out rank them. Get ready to cheer on the Thunder women to another win on Friday Oct. 5, as they face off against Augustana College at Joe Bean Stadium at 4:30 p.m.!