CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — Wabash College scored once in each half and received a five-save shutout from goalkeeper Rafael Cordova in a 2-0 victory over Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday.
Wabash (3-0) remained unbeaten to start the season behind goals from Colton Hughes-Suiters and Alfredo Campos. JD Branigan assisted on both goals as the Little Giants put six of their 11 shots on goal. Illinois Wesleyan finished with 12 shots, including five on goal.
Hughes-Suiters put Wabash in front in the 14th minute. Branigan delivered the pass to Hughes-Suiters, who finished into the bottom center of the net for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 Little Giants lead.
Cordova preserved the advantage with saves in the 20th and 24th minutes. Wabash generated additional first-half opportunities from Bryce Kinnaman, Campos and Ethan Simmons before taking its one-goal advantage into halftime.
Illinois Wesleyan pressured Wabash early in the second half, forcing Cordova to make saves in the 54th and 55th minutes. The Little Giants responded moments later.
Campos doubled the Wabash advantage at 57:36, finishing into the bottom center of the goal after another assist from Branigan. Campos has scored in each of the Little Giants' first three matches of the season.
Wabash continued to apply pressure after taking the 2-0 lead. Johan Arroyo, Campos and Danny Escobedo each put shots on goal that forced saves from the Illinois Wesleyan goalkeeper.
The Titans mounted their strongest late push beginning in the 78th minute with two shots and a corner kick. Cordova made his fifth save of the match at 82:11, and the Wabash defense kept Illinois Wesleyan off the scoreboard the rest of the way to secure the shutout.
Campos led Wabash with three shots, putting all three on goal. Hughes-Suiters scored on his only attempt. Branigan's two assists marked his first multi-assist match of the season.
Cordova played all 90 minutes in goal to earn the shutout, his second blank sheet in as many matches. Wabash has recorded at least two goals and two assists in each of its first three matches.
Matthew Perchik led Illinois Wesleyan with four shots, including two on goal. Ryder Coleman added three shots with one on frame. Reid Monken made three saves in 45 minutes in goal.
Wabash has opened a season with three consecutive victories for the second time in three years. The Little Giants won their first five matches to begin the 2024 season.
Wabash travels to North Manchester, Indiana, to face Manchester University on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m.
