He may not be pleased with the final score of Wabash's first two matches of 2006, but Head Soccer Coach Roberto Giannini is happy about the competitiveness of his team. The Little Giants lost 3-1 to Case Western Reserve Sunday afternoon, the final day of the Wabash/DePauw Soccer Classic. Saturday Wabash lost 2-0 to Alma College.
"'Wabash Always Fights' isn't just something written on a wall," Giannini said after Sunday's match. "These guys are not quitters. Down 3-0 we probably played our best soccer over the final 22-25 minutes of the match against Case. We were aggressive and we played with a very determined attitude. That's not easy to do down like that."
Wabash trailed 1-0 when Case's Matt Paglia squirted free from the defense on the left side of the field and blasted a shot past freshman goalkeeper Mathew McClain. Paglia struck again in the 31st minute for his second goal of the match, making contact with McClain as he scored to force the freshman to the sidelines with one save in the match. Jon Miller replaced McClain, holding the score at 2-0 through the half.
Miller stepped in front of a blast by Justin Steggerda in the 57th minute of the second half, but the rebound came out to the Spartans' Kevin Bigart, who scored the third goal for Case.
Wabash responded with its first goal of the season when George Padgitt pounded a shot into the net on a set piece from fellow sophomore Jon Funston. Three other shots were turned aside by Case goalie Konrad Karasek.
Only five minutes into Saturday's contest against Alma, the Little Giants knocked a ball over their own goal line, giving the Scots a corner kick. Nate Weirauch lifted the ball toward the net, finding Dan Laatz for the goal and eventual game winner.
Wabash continued to battle throughout the first half, pounding shot after shot at the Alma net. The Little Giants had 12 shot attempts in the opening period, but only two went on goal, with the Scots’ keeper turning aside both attempts. The Little Giants had 20 shots in the match, but only 10 shots on goal. Alma made the most of their attempts with nine shots on goal in 10 attempts. (View photos from the match)
Three times in the second half the Little Giants just missed on chances to even the match. Tahir Ahmed placed a shot that James Thomson gathered for one of his 10 saves. Padgitt had two opportunities, including a near-perfect cross from Chris Serak that beat Thomson in front. But Padgitt’s attempt sailed wide to the right side of the net. Jon Funston also managed two shots on goal, but came up empty.
Alma added an insurance goal in the 76th minute off the foot of Mark Daisy. Laatz added the assist.
Miller picked up six saves in his first varsity start as goalkeeper for Wabash.
"Saturday against Alma we had maybe half a dozen good chances to score but we couldn't put anything in the net," Giannini said. "Sunday we didn't have as many chances, but George (Padgitt) scored a beautiful goal because he kept working hard in front of the goal.
"Right now we are playing by instinct. Sometimes it's not the right instinct. As we continue to eliminate mistakes during the match, we will get closer to become the type of team I think we can be."
Wabash hits the road this week, traveling to Terre Haute Wednesday for a 7 p.m. match against Rose-Hulman. Saturday the Little Giants participate in the Jimmy Mills Tournament in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Wabash will play Haverford College at 1 p.m. and will face either Cabrini or Immaculata on Sunday.