A save and goal in the final minute of regulation provided Wabash College with its first varsity victory in school history Saturday. The Little Giants defeated visiting Calvin College 11-10.
 
Senior goalkeeper Todd Hoogland scooped a shot attempt by the Knights with 43 seconds to preserve the 10-10 tie, leading to the final offensive attack for Wabash. The Little Giants eventually found Adrian Tejeda at the top of the attack zone. The freshman rushed to the left of the net and drilled a low shot past the Calvin goalie and into the back-right corner of the net for his second tally of the season in addition to the game-winning goal.
 
Tejeda won the final faceoff of the match to run out the clock, starting the welcome celebration for the home crowd.
 
"I'm happy for the players," Wabash head coach Terry Corcoran said. "They've been working hard. We started practicing in the rain and sleet in January. There's been a real determination by this team. We've improved each game. Every player has improved. Practices have improved. It's easy to come out and work hard every day when things are going your way. These guys are digging in despite the first five losses. They deserved to win today. It wasn't given to them. There were lead changes and Calvin kept rallying. Our kids just kept fighting and did a great job."
 
Wabash scored the first goal of the match ---- the only goal of the first period --- on a strong run by freshman Dajon Thomas. He scored his fifth goal of the season just over five minutes into the match. The Knights responded with goal before Zach Scarano picked up his fifth of the year to put the Little Giants back in front. Scarano added his sixth after Calvin tied the score again, taking a pass from Scott Purucker after a penalty put Wabash up a man on the attack.
 
Calvin (2-5) ripped off three quick goals in the final five minutes of the first half to take a 5-3 lead.
 
The Little Giants erupted for six goals in the third period to retake the lead at 9-6. Scarano started the scoring outburst with his third of the match and sixth overall, once again taking a pass from Purucker to set up the play. Austin Crosley struck next with his fifth of the year, then picked up an assist on a goal by Glenn Patterson. Purucker kept the offense rolling by scoring his first goal o fthe year on a blast from the top of the zone with Tejada providing the setup pass. Zach Darabaris and Thomas each added goals in the final seven minutes, but a breakaway with Wabash up a man after penalty led to a shorthanded goal for Calvin just before the end of the period.
 
The Knights carried that late third-period momentum into the final period, scoring three straight goals to tie the contest at 9-9 with 9:01 left to play. Scarano tallied his fourth goal of the match with 6:18 left to put Wabash up 10-9, but Calvin rallied with a goal at 2:19 to even the score one last time.
 
Wabash took the ensuing faceoff but a turnover put Calvin on the attack with less than two minutes remaining. Michael Winkler --- who had already scored the first two goals of the match for Calvin --- ripped a shot in front of the goal. Hoogland controlled the attempt and started the offensive attack that led to the Tejeda goal.
 
"I asked Adrian if he thought he could make that goal again," Corcoran joked after meeting with the team. "He just ran hard, spun around, and just fired the ball going down the middle. When you play hard, good things happen. I think Calvin's defense was surprised that Adrian shot it. He just went north-south right to the goal in those closing seconds.
 
Tejeda not only scored well, he dominated the faceoff circle. The freshman won 17-of-23 faceoff tries in the game.
 
"Adrian did a terrific job," Corcoran said. "He didn't come to us as a faceoff guy, he's normally a long-stick midfielder. We moved him to the midfield because we needed his athleticism and he's worked very hard. It's a whole new position for him. A lot of credit also goes to Assistant Coach Todd Richardson. Todd's worked with Adrian diligently on faceoffs. "
 
Hoogland made 14 saves and faced a total of 33 shot attempts by Calvin to earn his first victory in goal for Wabash.
 
"Todd's been doing a super job for us," Corcoran said. "He's a senior. It's big step moving from club to varsity as a program. Todd's had really limited work in the goal in his career. He had a rocky start to the season. I take responsibility for that. We've been working on putting together the team and developing offenses and defenses. I think we neglected him early in the season. Once we started working a lot more with him, he's been coming up big every game. He's been in double-digit saves the last few games. He's gotten so much better at the clearing too. He's worked hard in the goal and outside, as well."
 
Wabash outshot the Knights 43-33 and grabbed 45 ground balls compared to 39 for Calvin.
 
A vocal group of Wabash supporters cheered the Little Giant team throughout the afternoon, and shared in the victory after the match.
 
"I've coached at some high-profile college programs and some big games," Corcoran said. "I felt like today's crowd was right on the field with us. That's what Wabash is all about. People have been great in their support of this team. Our athletics director, Joe Haklin, came down to talk to the team after the game. President Hess and Dean of Students Mike Raters were down here as well. I 've never had that happen anywhere where the president and the dean came down to offer their congratulations after any game. Today's atmosphere is why these kids are here, it's why I'm here, and that's why kids want to come to Wabash. We're just going to keep getting better because the attitude, the culture, and support here is second to none."