Freshman forward Paul Ackermann (Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral) made his first career goal as a member of the Wabash College soccer team count, scoring the game-winner on Wednesday afternoon in a 3-1 victory for the Little Giants over Earlham.
Ackermann took a pass from junior Morgan Patchell (Kalamazoo, MI/Loy Norrix) in the left corner of the field and pounded a shot past the Quakers’ goalkeeper in the 22nd minute to give the Little Giants a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Jeff Diebel (Ft. Wayne, IN/Homestead) opened the scoring for Wabash just 1:43 into the match with a goal to put Wabash up 1-0. The Quakers responded with the game-tying goal in the seventh minute, leading to Ackermann’s go-ahead shot.
Junior Colin Smith (Zionsville, IN/Zionsville) added an insurance goal in the 28th minute for the Little Giants.
Wabash played aggressively around the goal all game, set up by solid play to control the ball at the midfield. The Little Giants finished the match with 14 shots and seven shots on goal. Patchell led Wabash with three shots on goal.
Freshman Ben Esbaum (Cicero, IN/Hamilton Heights) took control of the defensive portion of the field for the Little Giants, clearing several pass across the middle away from the net. Sophomore netminder Will McAdams (Carmel, IN/Carmel) faced 12 total shots from Earlham, making eight saves on nine shots on goal.
The victory evens the Little Giants’ record at 8-8-1. Wabash is 3-4-1 in North Coast Athletic Conference play. The 2003 season will come to an end on Saturday when the Little Giants play their final game of the year against the College of Wooster at 1 p.m. at Mud Hollow Field.