Wabash couldn't overcome a slow first half start against Kalamazoo College in the opening soccer match of the 2005 season. The Little Giants showed more energy in the second period, but the Hornets held on for a 2-1 win at Mud Hollow Field Friday afternoon.
"We played a very talented and tough Kalamazoo team," said head coach Vernon Mummert, who took over the program this season after a successful tenure as head soccer coach at Drew University. "Kalamazoo took it to us in the first half. We turned it around in the second half and came close to tying it. We were the more agressive team in the final period."
The Little Giants trailed early, falling behind 1-0 in the 29th minute on a goal by the Hornets' leading scorer in 2004, Nick Houdek. Brett Bullard set the ball in the middle to Houdek, who fired it into the back of the net.
Wabash survived the first half down only one goal despite being outshot 14-3. The Hornets fired six shots on goal in the opening period to only two for the Little Giants.
Kalamazoo added the eventual game-winner just four minutes into the second period. This time it was Bullard scoring the goal on an assist by Evan Wright.
The second goal seemed to light a spark in the Wabash squad. A flurry of action in front of the Kalamazoo net in the 68th minute ended when Ben Esbaum (Cicero, IN/Hamilton Heights) (right) took a corner kick and fired it toward the goal. The shot was saved by Kalamazoo's Chris Keller, but the rebound came to Chris Serak (Avon, IN/Avon). Serak slipped the ball past the defense to sophomore Gary Simkus (Highland, IN/Highland), who blasted a shot past Keller to cut the lead to one goal.
Wabash nearly tied the game in the final four minutes of the match. Simkus slammed a shot toward the net that slipped past the Kalamazoo goalkeeper, but just missed the right post by less than a foot to roll out of bounds. The Little Giants would continue to apply offensive pressure in the final minutes, but could not get the equalizing goal.
"We're really a young team," said Mummert after the contest. "We start two freshmen, two of our starters are seniors but have not played college soccer before this season. We'll continue to learn and get better as the season goes on, but I was proud of the effort in the second half tonight."
Simkus finished with four shots, two on goal, along with his first goal of the season. Serak and Esbaum each added a shot on goal for Wabash. Senior Will McAdams (Carmel, IN/Carmel) (photo left) had 10 saves in the net for the Little Giants.
Wabash (0-1) will return to the pitch Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Hope College. The Flying Dutchmen lost their season opener 3-1 to DePauw Friday night.