The Dominican University men’s soccer team improved to a perfect 7-0-0 with a 2-0 win over the Wheaton College Thunder in Central Region action on Thursday afternoon. Senior Michael Kapusta (Bartlett, Ill.) tallied what proved to be the game-winner in the 23rd minute, notching his team-leading sixth goal of the season.
Sophomore Ryan Roberts (Elmhurst, Ill.) entered the game in the 22nd minute of play and had an immediate impact as he carried the ball up the right flank before crossing a ball to Leo Elizalde (Waukegan, Ill.) who played to a streaking Michael Kapusta (Bartlett, Ill.) who fired a shot into the back of the Thunder goal to give Dominican an 1-0 advantage.
Ten minutes later Roberts added an insurance goal for the Stars as he got on the end of a ball flicked by Kyle Boekeloo (Woodridge, Ill.) after a long throw from Andy Lynch (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.).
“It was rewarding to score off of the throw from Lynch,” commented Seth Mason, assistant coach for the Stars. “We have put some extra time in practice working on capitalizing on the dangerous opportunities created by our guys that have long throws.”
The Stars two first half goals held up, as junior goalkeeper Maxwell Gutbrod (Slinger, Wis.) posted his fifth shutout of the season, improving to 6-0-0 on the season with a 0.17 goals against average. Gutbrod posted four saves in the winning effort as the Stars were outshot 11-8 on the contest with the Thunder putting four shots on goal to two shots on goal for the Stars.
The win was the fourth win over a Central Region top ten team, with previous victories over North Park, Elmhurst and University of Chicago. The Stars return to action on Saturday, as they entertain the Lakeland College Muskies for a 1:00 p.m. tilt on the Stars’ West Campus Field.
