By: A 24th minute goal from Nick Copley was all that Illinois College needed on Sunday in a 1-0 win on the road at Franklin College.
Box Score
FRANKLIN, Ind. – The shutout streak for the Illinois College men's soccer team has now reached 180 minutes to start off the 2017 season after a 1-0 win for the Blueboys over Franklin College on Sunday afternoon.
Nick Copley scored the game-winner off of a
Robbie Lopez assist, and the defense and goalkeeper
Ty Clearwater did the rest, matching the number of shutouts that IC had all of last season.
The Blueboys pelted the Franklin defense with shots early on, holding a 7-2 advantage in the first half. Shortly after
Josh Schmidt had forced keeper Garrett Belden into a save in the 23rd minute, the Blueboys were on the board in the 24th minute. Copley scored his first goal of the season into the left corner of the net from his position on the right post.
Both of Franklin's shots in the first half were off-target, so
Ty Clearwater was unbothered until being forced into action with a save in the 55th minute. Late in the match, Clearwater made another save off of a header in the 82nd minute to preserve the lead.
Illinois College ended with a 12-8 edge in total shots in the game. Copley and
Ryan May had three apiece, while Schmidt and
Jonny Inez-Rodriguez each had a pair. IC put six shots on frame, forcing five saves out of Belden.
Illinois College will continue its road trip with a Sept. 7 match at Fontbonne University in St. Louis. First kick is slated for 7 p.m.
