More recognition for Wheaton
Coming off of their team's biggest win in at least two years, a pair of Wheaton College football players were named CCIW Player of the Week. Sophomore Johnny Peltz and senior Sam Cote won the offensive and special teams awards, respectively.
Wheaton College took down North Central at home, winning 34-31 on a last-second field goal from Cote. In addition to the 28-yard game-winner, Cote also hit a 37-yard field goal to get the team on the scoreboard in the first quarter. This is Cote's second time winning the weekly award this year.
Peltz, the Wheaton quarterback, completed 78.6 percent of his passes for 236 yards. He ran for an additional 83 yards. His 2 touchdown passes helped the Thunder beat the then No. 12-ranked Cardinals.
Now 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in the CCIW, the 11th-ranked Thunder controls its own destiny. It will go on the road to play Elmhurst next week, the only other undefeated team in conference.
A win there could help propel Wheaton to its first playoff appearance since 2010. The last time the Thunder won this rivalry game against North Central and found itself in first place, it lost its only conference game of the year to Elmhurst. That forced a three-team tie at the end of the year atop the conference with Elmhurst and North Central receiving playoff bids and Wheaton left out.
Soccer:
Both the men's and women's Thunder soccer teams have the opportunity to clinch the CCIW regular-season title with a win in their final regular-season game. The two teams will both play North Park on Saturday in Chicago.
For the women it is a chance to win without sharing the title with another team. The Thunder clinched at least a share of the conference championship after shutting out Augustana on Wednesday 4-0. A win on the final day would prevent Illinois Wesleyan from equaling Wheaton's record. The two teams tied in their only meeting of the year.
North Park is only 1-5 in conference this year. Wheaton has only allowed 2 goals since its last loss in mid-September.
Wheaton's men's team is tied with North Park atop the CCIW with matching 4-1 records. The Thunder will not need to win, necessarily, in order to earn at least a share of the title. If Wheaton and North Park tie there could be a three-team tie for the championship including Elmhurst. A win would be Wheaton's third consecutive regular-season title and top seed in conference playoffs.