The women’s soccer team started off its season with a home game against Wheaton College on Tuesday. The Knights fell to the Thunder 3-2 in what turned out to be a close match-up.

Wheaton College is currently ranked fourth in the nation and was last year’s runner up in the national tournament.

Wheaton scored the first goal in the 30th minute of the game with a rebound shot off a corner kick. The rest of the half went without a goal but not without lack of opportunity from either side.

The Thunder scored early in the second half on a header to give Wheaton a 2-0 lead. In the 63rd minute though, freshman Paige Capel found herself in a one-on-one attack. She dribbled past the defender and the keeper scoring the first goal of her career.

Wheaton answered 10 minutes later with a goal in the box off a rebound shot, making its lead 3-1.

With 15 minutes left in the game, junior Kelly Koets bounced a shot off a defender into the goal. This shot came on a free kick and was assisted by senior Francesca Smith.

The Thunder were able to keep control of the ball after this with strong passing.

Junior Ashton Hearn had 13 saves as goalie.

The women play again on Friday at Grand Rapids Christian against Illinois Wesleyan.