GREENCASTLE, Indiana --- Wabash held an 8-4 lead after three periods over arch-rival DePauw University in its North Coast Athletic Conference. The Little Giants could not hold off a scoring barrage by the host Tigers over the final 15 minutes in a 9-8 loss.
 
Wabash (7-7, 1-5 NCAC) trailed 1-0 before NCAC Men's Lacrosse Player of the Week Quinn Fitzgerald scored his first goal of the contest to even the score at 1-1. The senior attackman scored again three minutes later to put the Little Giants in front 2-1.
 
Freshman Charlie Rafalko, who assisted Fitzgerald's first goal, tallied a second-period goal to give Wabash a 3-1 lead. Fitzgerald added his third goal of the match off a second assist from Will Sorg to push the advantage to 4-1. DePauw (5-7, 2-3 NCAC) answered with a man-up goal before Jake Pippen responded with a goal assisted by Evan Bair to push the lead to 5-2. Sam Santiago scored a man-up goal with one minute remaining in the opening half before Sorg closed out the scoring with a goal in the final 25 seconds of the period to give the Little Giants a 7-2 lead at the break.
 
Pippen opened the third period with what proved to be the Little Giants' final goal of the night to put Wabash in front 8-2 with 25:33 left to play in the contest. DePauw scored its next goal with 10 minutes remaining in the third period before adding a second with 2:18 left to trim the advantage to 8-4. The Tigers added five more goals in the fourth period while holding Wabash scoreless. DePauw scored the game-winner with a man-up opportunity with 2:09 left to play to claim the one-goal victory.
 
Wabash put up 24 total shots with 13 shots on goal compared to 35 shots and 24 shots on goal for DePauw. The Little Giants scored on two of five extra-man chances, while the Tigers tallied three goals on six man-up opportunities.
 
Fitzgerald finished with three goals and one assist. Pippen added two goals. Sorg scored a goal and two assists. Eli Backus led the Little Giants with five ground balls and two caused turnovers. Luka DiFilippo won nine of 19 faceoffs. Goalkeeper Colin Krekeler recorded 15 saves.
 
Wabash plays its final home game of the 2025 season on Saturday with a 2 p.m. contest against Hiram College. Little Giant fans will honor the members of the senior class before the opening faceoff.