WHEATON, Ill. - The Elmhurst University men's soccer team opened conference play on the road with a 2-0 setback at Wheaton College on Saturday night at Joe Bean Stadium.

Wheaton (4-2-3, 1-0-0 CCIW) struck quickly in the first half. In the 11th minute, Jack Kern flicked in a header off a corner kick from Mason Louth to put the Thunder in front. Less than two minutes later, Elmhurst goalkeeper Niyen Ruffin saved a penalty attempt, but Wheaton's Luke Vander Kolk cleaned up the rebound to double the advantage at 12:39.

The Bluejays (3-6-2, 0-1-0 CCIW) settled in after the early surge, with freshman Klaus Gartner forcing a save in the 34th minute and Michail Tzankov firing a pair of shots before halftime. Elmhurst trailed 2-0 at the break despite Ruffin recording four first-half saves to keep the deficit from growing.

In the second half, Elmhurst created several looks at goal. Caden Sultzbaugh put a shot on target in the 68th minute, and Marthin Bobadilla added another chance in the 81st. Charlie Terriquez's effort in the 86th minute also forced a stop, but Wheaton's keeper Jack Krahel preserved the shutout with three saves in the match.

Elmhurst finished with 10 total shots, including three on frame, while Wheaton tallied 17 shots and seven on goal. Ruffin closed with five saves across 90 minutes.

The contest was physical, with both sides combining for 31 fouls and eight yellow cards. Elmhurst was booked four times, while Wheaton received four cautions as well. Each team also registered two offside calls and four corner kicks.