Wabash experienced an early Halloween scare at Denison Saturday in a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Big Red.
 
Evan Porter played the role of bogeyman, scoring three goals in the contest for his first career hat trick.
 
"Anytime we give up a set piece goal it's inexcusable, but today we gave up four," Wabash head coach Chris Keller said. "It was just a nightmare. We were completely outplayed, out-hustled, out-coached, and out-classed in today's game. Now we have to regroup mentally and prepare for Wednesday.
 
"We faced a very stalwart Denison team today. Our attention to detail was not where it needed to be for the game. All I can do is give credit to Denison. They scored on the opportunities that were available. We had three times were we could have scored and weren't able to finish them."
 
Corey Ricketts provided the early lead for Denison (8-6-1, 5-2 NCAC) with his seventh goal of the season in the seventh minute on a header off a free kick. Porter picked up the scoring from there, getting his first goal on a restart after a Wabash yellow card in the 32nd minute. Porter's next goal came just before the half, then scored the final tally in the 67th minute.
 
Wabash managed 12 total shots and four shots on goal. Steve Magura, Riley Pelton, Evan Coudriet, and Mike Gore each made scoring attempts but were blanked by Denison goalkeeper Blake Schach. Dayton Jennings took the loss in net for Wabash. Chase Francoeur made three saves in relief of Jennings in the second half for the Little Giants.
 
Wabash (12-2-2, 5-2 NCAC), ranked 12^th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll entering the match, will try to rebound from the road loss with a Wednesday afternoon home match against arch-rival DePauw University (9-7, 4-3 NCAC). The final regular season home match for the Little Giants begins at 4 p.m.