A blast off the foot of Wabash sophomore midfielder Chris Serak (Avon, IN/Avon) could have been the game-winner for the Little Giants Wednesday night at Mud Hollow Field. But the DePauw Tigers rallied for four goals in the final 26 minutes of the match to defeat Wabash 5-2.
Trailing 1-0 after the first 18 minutes of play, Wabash rallied for a corner kick. Having just missed goal on two previous attempts to score out of the set piece, Michael Hutchins (SO/Portage, IN/Portage) lofted a perfect pass to the far corner of the DePauw goal. Sophomore Matt Potasnik (Fishers, IN/Hamilton Southeastern) rose above the rest of the players and headed the ball into the net to even the match at 1-1.
Serak’s goal came in the first 12 minutes of the second period. Chasing down a loose ball near midfield, he lofted a shot from 45 yards away that sailed over the goalkeeper’s head. After dipping toward the ground, it settled in the goal to put Wabash in front 2-1.
But the lead would be short-lived. The Tigers answered in the 65th minute with a goal from Jeremy Rielley to tie the match at 2-2. Four minutes later, Scott Noel added the game-winner. Nick Noel scored his second goal of the match at 82:29, having already put the ball in the goal for the first DePauw score, to make it 4-2. Reilley scored the final goal six minutes later to add insurance to the Tigers’ lead.
Will McAdams (Carmel, IN/Carmel) made seven saves in the match. The Little Giants were outshot 26 12 overall and 12-6 in shots on goal.
Wabash (2-6) returns to North Coast Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon with a noon match at Hiram College. The Little Giants opened conference play last Saturday with a 2-1 double-overtime win at Kenyon.
Photos – Matt Potasnik celebrates with his teammates after tying the match at 1-1.
Chris Serak prepares to loft a long-distance shot that gave Wabash a 2-1 lead.