Wabash missed on an early chance in its opening match against DePauw University, but failed to capitalize on the opportunities. The Tigers' possession-style of soccer did in the Little Giants, leading to a 3-0 victory for DePauw at Mud Hollow Field on Friday afternoon.
The Tigers moved the ball well in the midfield in the opening minutes of the match, but it was Wabash that made the first attack. Andrew Kapsalis broke free on the left side with the ball, only to see his shot sail wide of the net. DePauw made the next drive down the field with a blistering a shot at Wabash goalkeeper Jon Miller, who turned the attempt aside.
The next DePauw offensive attack would not miss. Scott Noel slipped a ball past the Little Giants to the foot of Jeremy Rielley, who scored the opening goal of the season 13:21 into the period. Seven minutes later Reilley added a second goal to put the Tigers up 2-0.
The score remained the same through the remainder of the first half, with the Little Giants on the short end of a 12-1 shooting deficit. The gap would only widen in the second half.
DePauw took advantage of a mistake by the Little Giants in front of the net in the 51st minute of the match. Gary Pett snared a loose ball and drilled it into the upper left-hand corner of the net for the third goal. Wabash would post two scoring attempts in the final period. George Padgitt could only watch as his header just missed the left post midway through the period. Kapsalis pounded a ball toward the net in the 73rd minute, but the shot slammed into the crossbar and sailed harmless away from the goal.
Miller recorded seven saves in net for the Little Giants (0-1).
Wabash returns to action Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. match at home against Holy Cross College.
Photos
Top left - Andrew Kapsalis races for a ball in the first half of Friday's season-opening soccer match against DePauw. Kapsalis led the Little Giants with two shots.
Bottom right - Freshman Andre Hall battles a DePauw defender during Friday's match.