The final result wasn't what truly mattered Saturday afternoon in the big picture.
Sure the Little Giants lost 4-0 to Oberlin to bring the 2006 season to a close. But the smiles on the faces of seniors Ben Esbaum, Greg Ridenour, and brothers Tahir and Zuber Ahmed told a bigger story.
These four members of the Wabash soccer team were recognized, along with their parents and the host families for the Ahmed brothers, for the effort they've provided over four years in a Little Giants uniform.
The quartet has played in a total of 156 matches, scoring three goals while dishing out seven assists. None, unfortunately, would come in their final match. The Yeomen jumped out to a 2-0 first half lead before adding two more goals in the final period of play.
The Little Giants finished the year with an overall record of 3-14-1, and were 1-7-1 in North Coast Athletic Conference play.
Photo: (l-r) Tahir Ahmed, Greg Ridenour, Head Coach Roberto Giannini, Ben Esbaum, and Zuber Ahmed prior to the start of the seniors' final match at Wabash College.