MARION, IN - The Illinois Tech men's soccer team gained its first win of the campaign in a hard fought clash with the IWU Wildcats on Saturday Afternoon in Marion, IN. The game started with promise for the Hawks as a number of early chances fell to freshmen Ciaran Kohli-Lynch and Liam Barrett.

The breakthrough came just before half time as Sophomore midfielder Rob Ritchie-Smith collected his own rebound from a free kick and found the top corner of the goal to give the hawks a deserved 1-0 lead going into the break.

The visitors' defense had to be on top form as the Wildcat offense threw everything forward during the second half, and despite a number chances the Wildcats couldn't break down the Hawks solid backline.

As the game progressed, the Hawks were able to get on top once more and created a number of chances from the impressive wide play of Ritchie-Smith. The winger was impressive all afternoon and was a thorn in the side of the IWU defense.

It was the Hawks who struck again on the 70 minute mark when freshman forward Liam Barrett struck a long range effort that found the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper no chance.

Despite a late flurry from the hosts, the Hawks held firm until the end to claim a deserved victory. The team advances to 1-3-0 on the season and travel to La Crosse, Wisconsin on Tuesday for a match against Viterbo University.