WHEATON, Ill. – A header in the final two minutes of the game proved the difference as the No. 11-ranked University of Chicago men's soccer team lost 1-0 at Wheaton College on Friday.

The Maroons dropped to 7-2-0 while the Thunder improved to 5-2-1 on the season.

The first half did not feature many threats on goal. Play was mostly stuck in the middle third of the field and the teams went into the break tied 0-0. Wheaton led in shots 6-3 at that point.

The Thunder got two prime opportunities to score in the second half, starting with a one-on-one on the run in the 50th minute. The shot sailed wide right, however. Wheaton got another open look at goal with a hard shot from just beyond the top left of the box at 68:33, but UChicago sophomore goalkeeper Hill Bonin came up big with a diving save to his left.

The visitors nearly took the lead themselves in the 85th minute. Freshman forward Matthew Koh came in on the goal line from the right and sent a ball to the back post for freshman midfielder Max Lopez. Lopez timed his leap and sent the ball on goal a split second before a Wheaton defender blocked the chance away.

With just under two minutes remaining in regulation, Wheaton earned a corner kick. The home side headed the ball in traffic twice in succession and scored on the latter opportunity. UChicago very nearly forced overtime with 12 seconds left as junior forward Brenton Desai received the ball at the top of the box, turned and fired. However, the shot sailed just right and the clock ticked down to zero.

In the final stats, the Thunder led shots (10-6) while corner kicks were even at five apiece. Lopez led the way with four shots for the Maroons. Bonin (6-2-0 record) collected four saves and allowed one goal.

NEXT MATCH:

• Tuesday, September 29 – UChicago at Carthage College, 7 PM