McLean County Times

Facing Wheaton College during the Thunder's homecoming, the Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team experienced a narrow defeat with a 2-1 score at Joe Bean Stadium. This result brought their record to 1-9-1 (0-2-1 CCIW), while Wheaton secured its first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin victory, improving to 2-5-3 (1-0-0 CCIW).

The match remained scoreless for the initial 30 minutes until junior forward Madalyn Buxton from Springfield, Illinois, playing for Pleasant Plains, scored following a deflection by Wheaton's goalkeeper in the 32nd minute. Freshman Ava Mapes from Golden, Colorado, attending Lakewood High School, assisted in this goal that allowed the Titans to lead 1-nil at halftime. During the first half, Illinois Wesleyan took ten shots compared to Wheaton's eight.

In the second half, Wheaton adopted an aggressive approach and scored their first goal four minutes into play. Maddie Grinstead of Wheaton then added an unassisted goal in the 59th minute, giving her team a 2-1 lead.

Junior goalkeeper Audrey Hofstetter from Gilbert, Arizona and Perry High School faced four shots on goal and contributed two saves to her season total of 19.

Illinois Wesleyan will continue their series of away games as they travel to Rock Island, Illinois on Wednesday, October 4th for a CCIW matchup against Augustana College (8-1-2, 1-0-1 CCIW).