An early goal by Cory Sims and outstanding goalkeeping by freshman Demitri Lee provided Wabash a 2-0 victory Wednesday afternoon over Wittenberg University in North Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer action.
 
Sims scored in the first three minutes of the match on a restart by Christian Stiverson after a Wittenberg (4-8-1, 2-2 NCAC) foul to give the Little Giants the 1-0 lead. Stojan Krsteski added his team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 25^th minute, collecting a pass from Justin Kopp to drill a shot past the Tigers' goalie to extend the lead to 2-0. Kopp's assist was his sixth of the season.
 
"We've worked on set pieces all season," Wabash head coach Chris Keller said. "Christian put a great ball into the box and Cory put it in to give us the early lead. Stojan provided a great finish to a good transition after a takeaway in the back to push the lead to two goals."


Lee faced his heaviest offensive attack of the season from Wittenberg. The freshman entered the game with 15 saves spread over six games. He faced 10 shots, including five shots on goal, to record his second career shutout. Lee's biggest challenge came in the 56^th minute when he turned away a penalty kick by the Tigers' Alberto Zaragoza to keep the Wabash lead at 2-0.
 
"We should never be in that position where we give up a penalty kick," Keller said. " We made a bad play, but Demitri picked us up with a great read on the ball to make the diving save to his left."


 

Wabash fired 13 shots with seven ending up on goal.
 
The Little Giants (9-3, 3-1 NCAC) move into sole possession of third place in the NCAC standings after starting the day tied with Wittenberg for third. Wabash trails Ohio Wesleyan in second place with a record of 3-0-1 in NCAC play after earning a 1-1 tie at DePauw Wednesday evening. The Little Giants will play Ohio Wesleyan Saturday, October 14 at noon at Fischer Field.