MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Wesleyan men's soccer team continues to trend upward as the Cardinals defeated No. 23 ranked Coast Guard, 1-0, on Tuesday night from Citrin Field. Wesleyan (5-2-1) is now winners of their last four straight and unbeaten in their last five, marking the program's longest winning streak since 2013. Coast Guard (8-2-1) drops their second straight game after going unbeaten in their first nine games to start the season.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• As strong as the Wesleyan defense has been during the win streak, it seemed only fitting that center back Evan O'Brien '24 would come through with the game's only goal. Coming off an early corner kick, Lucas Ruehlemann '25 fired in the set piece to the opposite post where O'Brien shielded off a Bear defender and headed home his first career goal in the 8^th minute of play.

•  The early O'Brien goal played right into the Cardinals preferred style of play as Wesleyan's back line limited chances while the midfield group showed incredible work rate throughout the 90 minutes
• Coast Guard had just one shot on-target for the match and it came in the 40^th minute as Michael Daunt had a free kick that Liam Devanny '23 easily snagged
• Zack Burd '25 nearly made it 2-0 Wesleyan as he came on late in the first half and provided some instant energy in the attacking end. All that pressure he applied eventually led to a blast from just outside the box that the Coast Guard keeper John Vaaler had to make a diving save for to his right
• It was largely a back-and-forth second half devoid of many quality chances until there was just over 10 minutes left as Tucker Kelsch '22 had a great look at the top of the box that was blocked and Lucas Kimball '22 had an even better look at the far post as an initial header was blocked and a follow-up shot from a few yards out was saved off the line by a Bear defender

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Wesleyan recorded a 14-6 advantage in shot attempts and edged the Bears 8-1 in shots on-target for the match
• The Cardinals haven't allowed a goal in four straight matches as the last opposing team to score on Wesleyan came in the 68^th minute of a 1-1 draw at Williams which means the Cardinal shutout streak is now up to 402:02 total minutes
• Ruehlemann recorded the assist on the O'Brien game-winner as he now has a team-leading three on the season
• Devanny didn't have to do much in net thanks to his team in front of him controlling the action, as the junior keeper made one save to record his fourth clean sheet in eight starts this season as well as the ninth of his career

UP NEXT:
Wesleyan faces another ranked foe in Little 3 rival No. 13 Amherst on Saturday for a 3 PM start from Jackson Field.