ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Behind a three-point effort from senior Owen Culver and the game-winning tally from senior Carl Vestberg, the Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team blanked Wheaton College, 3-0, Saturday evening, Sept. 23. With the win, WashU's record upped to 3-3-1, while Wheaton's record dipped to 4-4. 
 

In the match, the Bears outshot the Thunder by a total of 14-7. WashU landed eight shots on frame compared to WC's one. 
 

Culver welcomed a match-high four shots in the victory. Graduate student Christopher Alwang notched three shots, while sophomore Zach Susee and Vestberg each recorded two shots. 
 

In net, first-year Owen Ross earned his first-career shutout victory. Ross recorded one save on the evening. 
 

WashU was credited with 11 corners, while the Thunder received five. 
 

The Bears garnered the first shot of the match in the fourth minute from a strike off the boot of Culver. 
 

However, Wheaton maintained a majority of the possession in the first 45. The Thunder generated several early shots but were unable to produce a goal. 
 

In the 35th minute, the Bears were awarded a corner try. Culver lined up his cross into the box and placed a perfect ball to Vestberg. Vestberg leaped into the air and directed a header that whizzed past the keeper and into the top right portion of the net. After the successful set piece, WashU held the lead, 1-0, heading into the intermission. 
 

After one period of action, the Bears notched eight shots. 
 

With WashU clinging to a 1-0 advantage, Culver added some insurance in the 76th minute. On a free kick from 23-yards out, Culver eluded the Thunder wall and recorded his second goal of the season. With the goal, the Bears generated a 2-0 cushion. 
 

Just six minutes later, Susee found some open turf near the corner of the 18-yard box and dialed up a terrific ball that bent over the diving arms of the keeper to give the Bears a 3-0 advantage in the 82nd minute. 
 

The Thunder offense tried to mount a ferocious comeback, but the Bear defensive line stood strong and thwarted the comeback efforts to preserve the 3-0 victory. 
 

The Bears will open University Athletic Association with a home date against Emory University, Sunday, Oct. 1. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. at Francis Olympic Field and will serve as the backend of a doubleheader with the women's soccer team.