Box Score

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Drew Shay's goal in the 80th minute was the difference Wednesday, as Wheaton handed Augustana a 1-0 setback at Thorson-Lucken Field. The Thunder improved to 7-7 on the season and 3-2 in the CCIW, while the Vikings dropped to 1-10-2 overall and 0-5 in the league.
 
Augustana keeper Jeremy Klaber (Stevenson HS, Buffalo Grove, Ill.) recorded a pair of saves in the first 10 minutes before the first half settled into a back-and-forth affair with few serious scoring chances.  The lone Viking shot on goal in the opening half came from junior Jack McKearnan (Warren HS, Gurnee, Ill.) in the 35th minute and was turned away by Wheaton keeper Hasten Biddlecome.
 
The Thunder went to the locker room with a 7-3 advantage in shots, including a 4-1 edge in shots on goal.
 
It was the hosts that had the better going of it early in the second half. Matthew Allen's (Batavia HS, Batavia, Ill.) header in the 55th minute went wide and Biddlecome denied a Michael Tirabasso (Geneva HS, Geneva, Ill.) shot in the 64th minute. Wheaton's first shot of the period didn't come until the 69th, when Max Carey's header sailed over the crossbar.
 
In the 78th minute, the Thunder was called for a foul just outside the 18, but Jack McKearnan's (Warren HS, Gurnee, Ill.) free kick was blocked, keeping the match scoreless.
 
Less than two minutes later, Shay gave Wheaton the lead, corralling a loose ball about 20 yards out and lofting a shot over Klaber for his first goal of the season. Jack Stradinger was credited with an assist on the play.
 
Augustana was awarded several free kicks near midfield following fouls on the Thunder in the closing minutes. Biddlecome was up to the challenge though, making saves on McKearnan and Tirabasso to preserve the shutout.
 
Wheaton finished with an 11-9 edge in shots and a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Thunder took five corners to one for the Vikings. Fouls were even at 14, with Wheaton cited for four cautions in the match and Augustana one.
 
Klaber recorded five saves and Biddlecome four.
 
On Saturday, October 21, Coach Mick Regan's club will host Millikin at 3:30 p.m. It will be Senior Day at Thorson-Lucken.