Wabash College goalkeeper Colin Krekeler recorded 15 saves while facing a career-high 70 shots from Oberlin in Saturday afternoon’s North Coast Athletic Conference men’s lacrosse game. The Little Giants played even with the Yeomen throughout three quarters, but a three-goal advantage for the visitors from Ohio ended in a 13-8 loss for Wabash.
Wabash (7-6, 1-4 NCAC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Christian Dybedock and Quinn Fitzgerald. Oberlin (9-3, 3-2 NCAC) cut the lead in half with its first goal, but Fitzgerald answered to put the Little Giants up 3-1 with two minutes remaining in the first period. The Yeomen tallied a pair of goals in the final 40 seconds of the quarter to even the score at 3-3.
Oberlin scored three more goals in the second period to move in front 6-3 before Sam Santiago scored in the quarter’s final minute to draw Wabash to within two goals at 6-4 at the half.
Fitzgerald notched his third goal of the game on an extra-man opportunity to bring the Little Giants to within a goal at 6-5. The Wabash defense responded with a caused turnover and quickly converted the play into a goal by Bryce Poling to tie the score at 6-6 just over four minutes into the second half. The Yeomen took the lead once again before freshman defender Cam Fecht scored his first collegiate goal to even the score at 7-7. Oberlin added two goals in the final five minutes of the period to lead 9=7 heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
The Yeomen scored the first goal of the fourth period, but Will Sorg answered with 10:49 remaining to bring Wabash to within two at 10-8. Oberlin held the Little Giants scoreless over the rest of the period while adding three goals to finish off the game.
Freshman Evan Bair handed out a team-best three assists for Wabash. Fitzgerald, Sorg, Charlie Rafalko, and Will Kerker each had one assist in the match.
Wabash put up 24 shot attempts compared to 70 for Oberlin. Krekeler finished with 15 saves against 28 shots on goal for the Yeomen. He led Wabash with seven ground balls. The Little Giants scored eight times on 12 shots on goal in the contest.
Quinn Shefferly paced the Wabash defense with three caused turnovers. The Little Giants forced 11 turnovers overall.
Wabash travels to Greencastle on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. NCAC contest against DePauw University.
