For the second time this season, a late Mike Gore goal led to big results for the Wabash soccer team. The freshman scored in the 89th minute to give Wabash a 2-1 win at Wooster and a record-setting 13th victory this season.
 
Wabash (13-2-3, 6-2-1 NCAC) also secured the third seed in the upcoming North Coast Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Tournament. The Little Giants will travel to second-seeded Kenyon Tuesday, November 4 for a 2 p.m. start in the semifinal round of the tournament. Wabash is making its first appearance in the NCAC tourney since joining the league in 1999.
 
The Little Giants eclipsed the record for wins in a season set by the 1990 Wabash team which finished 12-2-1. The 1996 Little Giants matched the 12-win mark with a record of 12-3.
 
"This is a very important win for our program moving forward," Wabash head coach Chris Keller said.
"Earning a place in the NCAC tournament and getting that 13th win is something our team has worked hard for all year. I'm proud of this senior group for being able to accomplish that in their final season. This win also provides some momentum as we move on to play Kenyon Tuesday."
 
Wabash got off to a slow start in its chase for the 13th victory. Wooster (3-13-1, 0-9 NCAC) scored on a misplayed ball by the Little Giant defense when Patrick Pickering took advantage to give the Scots a 1-0 lead. That score held through halftime before Riley Pelton notched his team-leading fifth goal off passes from Steve Magura and Stojan Krsteski to even the match at 1-1.
 
Gore's heroics came in the 89th minute. With the match apparently headed to overtime, Wabash got a restart on a free kick. Pelton fired the ball into the box. Gore was able to hit a volley over the Scots' goalkeeper for his fifth goal of the year, matching Pelton for the team lead. Gore scored a game-winner earlier in the season at Allegheny, giving Wabash the win on a shot with 11 seconds left in regulation.
 
"We knew this would not be an easy game," Keller said. "Wooster has had some close games against a lot of good teams in the NCAC. We had to play on a cold afternoon at their place on their Senior Day. Wooster came out pretty pumped up and ready to go.
 
"We came out pretty flat in the first half, but we have chances. We missed a couple of break-away open net chances with one-on-ones with the keeper. I'm very pleased with the way our team reacted and came out to play in the second half. We found a way to score a game early and put a lot of pressure on Wooster late and got a very good goal from Mike Gore to win it."
 
Ohio Wesleyan will play host to DePauw in the other NCAC semifinal match. That contest will take place Wednesday evening. The two winning teams will meet in the championship game Saturday.