What appeared to be a fast start turned into a disappointing finish for the Wabash soccer team Saturday afternoon at Allegheny. Forward George Padgitt scored 1:37 into the North Coast Athletic Conference match against the Gators, but three quick goals by Allegheny ended in a 4-1 victory over the Little Giants in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Padgitt got free in front of the net at the outset of the match, taking a loose ball and heading past the Allegheny goalkeeper into the right corner to put the Little Giants up 1-0 against the regionally-ranked Gators.
The lead only lasted 23 seconds.
Mark Dobish broke free from the Wabash defense, blasting a shot past Matt McClain to even the score at 1-1 two minutes into the first period. Twelve minutes later a second goal, this one by Nathaniel Yates, put Allegheny up 2-1. Alan Carr made it a 3-1 match two minutes later on a one-timer off a pass from Ryan Kelly.
Despite the early fireworks on offense, the game settled into a foul-marred contest. Both teams combined for four cards, including a red against the Gators, and 44 fouls while only taking a total of 12 shots on goal. Luis Quiroga and Gary Simkus would manage the only other shots on net for the Little Giants, but those attempts were turned away Ryan Larkin and Zane Miller. Jon Miller went in goal for Wabash at the 20-minute mark, finishing the match with five saves.
Wabash (1-8-1, 0-1-1) travels to Ohio Wesleyan University Wednesday to face the nationally-ranked Bishops in a 7 p.m. match.