Illinois Wesleyan men’s soccer brought home their first win of the season with a 4-0 sweep against Monmouth College at home on Tuesday, September 28. Earlier in the week, women’s soccer ended University of Chicago’s streak with a 2-2 tie on Sunday, September 26.
The men’s team took off right out of the gate, scoring their first goal minutes into the match. Sophomore Isaac Plagakis moved into Fighting Scot territory, where his pass found junior Dane Hoare. Hoare was able to move the score to 1-0 and pick up the first goal of his IWU career. For most of the first half, the Titans and the Fighting Scots were evenly matched.
With less than fifteen minutes left in the first half, sophomore Sasha Tylnyy doubled IWU’s lead. Sophomore The Titans went into halftime with a 2-0 sweep.
The Titans returned to the field for the second half ready to maintain their lead. Senior Brett Spengel protected the net from Monmouth’s one and only shot-on-goal. Senior Trevor Martin and Hoare assisted senior Zack Kokes with their third goal of the match.
Right before the end of the match, sophomore Gavin Smith, assisted by freshman Justin Bruso, added one more point for the Titans to solidify their victory. With this win, the Titans move to 1-5 for the 2021 season.
On Sunday, the women’s team took on UChicago’s daunting eight-game winning streak and brought it to an end.
The Titans were led by senior Caelyn Steffens with one of two goals, one assist, and the team-high two shots-on-goal. Following Steffens was junior Lauren Shanks, who found the net and secured the other Green-and-White goal. Shanks and Steffens accomplished something no other team was able to do this season by scoring against the currently undefeated Maroons.
Senior Izzy Mitra and freshman Tegan Timmerman also made attempts at the net, managing one shot-on-goal apiece with no scores.
UChicago broke through the Titan defense enough to bring in two points overall. Freshman Kayla Borg protected the net from eight shots for the game, four of them taking place in the first half.
Borg’s performance earned her an honor from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin as she was named the “CCIW Defensive Player of the Week” on Tuesday, September 28. At their match against North Park on September 25, Borg made two saves to help hold on to IWU’s 5-0 sweep. Borg’s recognition is the first of her career, as well as the first Titan honor of the season.
Both teams will have the opportunity to keep up their stride. The men’s team will compete Saturday, October 2 in Grand Rapids, MI for a non-CCIW weekend game against Calvin University. Kickoff if scheduled for 1:00 p.m. After a home game on Wednesday, September 29 against Elmhurst University, the women’s team will also take on Concordia-Wisconsin on Sunday, October 3 at 1:00 p.m.