Wabash opened its 2018 soccer season Friday evening with a 2-0 victory over Franklin College in a home contest at Fischer Field.
 
The standing-room only crowd watched the Little Giants (1-0) control the tempo throughout the match. Wabash outshot the visiting Grizzlies (0-1) by a total of 15-1 for the match. Franklin's only shot was corralled by Wabash goalkeeper Chad Wunderlich for his lone save of the contest. The Little Giants put three shots on net, with two finding the back for goals.
 
Junior Michael Tanchevski opened the scoring for Wabash, drilling a header into the goal in the 26^th minute. Justin Kopp picked up his first assist of the season on the play thanks to an arching pass into the box that Tanchevski sent sailing past the Franklin goalkeeper.
 
The Little Giants kept up the offensive pressure in the second half. Two shot attempts flicked over the top of the goal and third hit the cross bar before freshman Timothy Herring battled through the Franklin defense in the 64^th minute. He collected a pass from Kyle Holmer and maneuvered past the goalkeeper's left side to score his first collegiate goal while giving Wabash the 2-0 lead.
 
The Little Giant defense limited Franklin's passing game throughout the second half, not allowing a single shot attempt over the final 45 minutes of play.
 
Wabash travels to Columbus, Ohio Sunday for a 7 p.m. match at Capital University. The Little Giants travel to Earlham Wednesday before returning home to play in the Robbie Dreher Soccer Classic September 8^th and 9^th. Franklin, Fontbonne University, and Trine University will be the other three teams playing in the two-day event.