Wabash played one of the top Division III soccer programs in the nation even for 89 minutes Sunday morning at Mud Hollow Field. A few seconds in front of the Little Giant goal proved to be the difference in a 2-1 win by Ohio Wesleyan University.
The Little Giants fell behind 1-0 late in the first half, but nearly answered when Andre Hall flicked a ball toward the front of the net. Diego Aliaga fired a shot that just missed the net, also missing a chance to tie the match heading into halftime.
Wabash would find a way even the score in the second half.
Mark Babcock took an indirect kick and blasted the ball toward the goal. The kick was deflected by Gary Simkus to Andrew Kapsalis. The sophomore waited for the ball to settle, then beat the OWU goalkeeper. The goal was Kapsalis' second of the season.
The Little Giants put two more shots on net in the period, trying to earn their first win over Ohio Wesleyan since joining the NCAC in 1999. While the Wabash offense kept up the pressure, senior goalkeeper Jon Miller made three huge stops in the second half to keep his team even with the Bishops.
Ohio Wesleyan eventually found a way to get a shot past Miller. A loose ball was gathered by Will Murawski, hitting Nick Skoczen with a pass toward the right side of the goal. Skoczen's shot got past Miller to give OWU the lead with less than seven minutes remaining. The goal proved to be the game-winner.
OWU outshot Wabash 22-9 overall. Miller finished with three saves. Jamison Dague had two saves for Ohio Wesleyan.
Wabash (2-5, 0-1 NCAC) plays two home matches this week. Wednesday the Little Giants play Principia at 5:30 p.m. Wabash continues NCAC play Saturday with an 11 a.m. match against the College of Wooster.
Photos - (top left) Diego Aliaga races for a ball in the second half. Aliaga just missed a goal on a terrific shot in the closing minutes of the first half.
(Bottom right) Gary Simkus provided an assist on the goal by Andrew Kapsalis to tie the match at 1-1.