For the first time since 2002, the Wabash soccer team has opened the season with a 2-1 record. This year's squad posted a 4-2 win over Rose-Hulman Wednesday afternoon at Mud Hollow Field to improve to 2-1.
The Little Giants were in control from the start of the match, scoring in the ninth minute on one of the best set pieces seen on the Mud Hollow pitch in the past few years. Freshman Andre Hall worked the ball forward from the midfield stripe, eventually finding senior Blaken Wamsley in the left corner. Wamsley controlled the touch, then fired a cross in front of the net for co-captain Gary Simkus. The 6-7 senior rose over the rest of the players and pounded a header into the back of the net for the first goal of the match. It would not be his last.
However, the Little Giants would let Rose back into the match. Less than eight minutes after Wabash scored the first goal, the Fightin' Engineers scored on a long centering pass into the box that sailed over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Devin Moss and into the goal.
Wabash continued to blast shot after shot at Rose goaltender Trey Buck. Buck would have no answer for the next goal. Andrew Kapsalis settled a pass from Josue Gutierrez in front of the goal. Kapsalis, with his back to the net, lifted the ball over Buck to put Wabash up 2-1.
That lead would last for only a few moments. Nick Race, who scored the first goal for Rose, hit Matt Trowbridge on the right side of the field with a pass. Trowbridge launched another long-distance shot to tie the match at 2-2.
Once again, that score would only stand for a moment. Simkus fired a point-blank shot at Buck. The goalkeeper knocked the ball down, but the rebound came off to Wabash's George Padgitt. The junior slammed the second shot home, giving the Little Giants the lead.
Simkus added a final goal in the 77th minute, and just missed the hat trick when his header in the 89th minute sailed wide left.
"We played beautiful soccer in the first 15 minutes," head coach Roberto Giannini said. "I pleased with our effort overall, but the way we attacked on offense in the early part of the first period was tremendous."
Wabash kept that offensive pressure rolling throughout the match, outshooting Rose 23-9. The Little Giants put 14 shots on net to only five for the Engineers. Moss recorded his first victory of the season, making three saves in 90 minutes of action.
The Little Giants travel to Danville, Kentucky over the weekend to participate in the Allen Classic at Centre College. Wabash plays Aurora University Friday and Wilmington Saturday. Both matches begin at 5:30 p.m.
Photos
Top left - Gary Simkus scored his first two goals of the season against Rose-Hulman.
Bottom right - Andrew Kapsalis (seen earlier in the season versus DePauw) added his first goal of the year to put Wabash in front 2-1.