Wabash scored three goals in the final six minutes of Friday's NCAA Division III men's lacrosse match at Virginia Wesleyan University to break an 8-8 tie and defeat the host Marlins 11-8. The victory gives the Little Giants a 2-0 record for their 2024 spring break trip to Virginia.
 
Wabash (5-1) held a 7-6 lead heading into the final period of play against Virginia Wesleyan (3-2), but the Marlins tied the score with a goal in the first two minutes of the quarter. Sam Santiago put the Little Giants back in front with his second goal of the afternoon one minute later, only to see Virginia Wesleyan match the goal and tie the score at 8-8 with 11 minutes left to play in regulation.
 
Jake Pippen scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 8:04 remaining off a pass from Christian Dybedock, who finished the contest with four points with two goals to go with his assist on the Pippen goal. Blake Stephens scored his second goal of the game 25 seconds later to put Wabash in front 10-8. Will Sorg put the game away for good with a goal with 5:08 remaining on the clock to provide the 11-8 final score.
 
Quin Fitzgerald opened the scoring for Wabash with a goal five minutes into the contest. Santiago picked up his first goal to give the Little Giants a 2-0 lead. Virginia Wesleyan rallied for two goals in the period to even the score at 2-2 heading into the second period. The Marlins added a third goal to move in front 3-2 in the second period before Dybedock tallied his first goal, tying the score at 3-3. The Marlins scored the final goal of the period to take a 4-3 lead into halftime.
 
Artie Rogers drew Wabash even with a goal to start the third period, but VWU regained the lead with a pair of goals for a 6-4 advantage. The Little Giants rallied with goals from Stephens, Dybedock, and Sorg to regain the lead at 7-6 entering the final period.
 
Rogers handed out two assists in the game for Wabash, with Fitzgerald, Dybedock, Stephens, Santiago, and Pippen each adding an assist apiece.
 
Wabash put up 38 shots compared to 36 by the Marlins. The Little Giants finished with 21 shots on goal versus 19 by Virginia Wesleyan. Wabash goalkeeper Colin Krekeler made 11 saves to earn the victory in net. The Little Giants caused 15 turnovers, with Quinn Shifferly and Bryce Poling each causing four turnovers. Luka DiFilippo won 17 of 22 faceoffs for Wabash.
 
The Little Giants return to action on Saturday, March 16, at 2 p.m. at Fischer Field against Hanover College.