Freshman Matt Potasnik (Fishers, IN/Hamilton Southeastern) picked a perfect time to score his first career goal in a Wabash soccer uniform. His rebound shot with 2:24 left in the second overtime lifted the Little Giants to a 2-1 victory over North Coast Athletic Conference in-state rival Earlham College on Wednesday night.
Potasnik was in front of the goal when fellow freshman Gary Simkus (Highland, IN/Highland) blasted a shot toward the Earlham net. The Quakers' goalkeeper, Jon O'Neil, knocked the shot away, but the carrom flew to Potasnik, who fired it into the back of the net for the victory.
Wabash fell behind when Earlham's Leland Gyr took a pass from Robin Mandela in the 33rd minute on a perfect cross and scored the opening goal of the contest. The Little Giants answered 12 minutes later. Jason Bunning (Evansville, IN/Harrison) slipped through the defense on the right side of the field, centering a ball in front of the net to Jeff Diebel (JR/Ft. Wayne, IN/Homestead). Diebel made the exta pass, putting the ball in the left corner of the box where freshman Chris Serak (Avon, IN/Avon) collected it and scored to tie the match at 1-1.
Both goalies fired shutouts in the second half and the first overtime. Junior Will McAdams (Carmel, IN/Carmel) turned away three shots on goal by Earlham in the second period. The Wabash defense did not give up a shot on goal in either overtime. Wabash had nine shots on goal in the contest to six for the Quakers.
Wabash (5-9-1, 3-5 NCAC) will play its final home game of the season Saturday at 1 p.m. against Kenyon College. The Little Giants close out the 2004 season at Rose-Hulman on Tuesday.