Adrian, MI — As the 2005 Mid-Central Conference Co-Champion Goshen College men’s soccer team exited its bus Wednesday night at Siena Heights University, a prominent face was absent.

Preparing to start arguably its most anticipated season in decades, Goshen was without 2005 All-MCC goalkeeper and current senior, Craig Welscott.

Welscott, with 21 career shut-outs, needs just four more to become the program’s all-time leader in the category. He missed the trip due to a recurring stomach virus, as Goshen College trainers and medical staff search for a cure to his ailment. Welscott’s absence was palpable for the Leafs, as Goshen dropped a 1-0 decision to the host Saints in a less than explosive start to the 2006 campaign.

“Playing Siena Heights away from home is always challenging, let alone playing without our all-conference goalkeeper,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “We’re not exactly sure what his sickness is, but hopefully he will recover soon.”

With Welscott back at the Maple City, Mounsithiraj called on senior walk-on keeper Brandon Wengerd to tend goal. It was Wengerd’s first appearance in a collegiate soccer game, and his first time putting on a competitive jersey since high school.

Naturally, he quickly made two incredible saves.

Hoping to give his new teammates a shot of confidence, Wengerd helped Goshen (0-1, 0-0) thwart early pushes from the Saints with two diving stops, shots that Mounsithiraj would later claim “should have gone in.” Wengerd’s teammates responded in kind, mounting several attacks on Siena Heights’ half of the field but without any scoring results.

A strong Leafs’ push led to a Siena Heights’ counter-attack in the game’s 25th minute, however, and with it came Wengerd’s lone mistake. After a Saints’ corner kick was redirected off of two headers, Wengerd attempted to secure the ball. A rushing Saints’ player put pressure on the senior walk-on, however, causing Wengerd to fumble possession. Siena Heights’ Ryan Hansinger was there to tap in the loose change for a 1-0 Saints’ advantage.

“Siena Heights put pressure on us right away and it took us awhile to settle in and get used to the physical part of the game,” Mounsithiraj said. “After we learned to deal with the kind of pressure they were going to put on us, I thought the match was even with both sides getting good looks at the goal. The Saints just got to a loose ball in front of the goal mouth midway through the first half.”

Now looking for the equalizer score, Goshen began to press harder up front. A final 8-4 advantage in shots on goal illustrated the Leafs’ attacking nature, as senior Jared Price, junior Tony Janzen and sophomore Cody Felton each recorded a pair of shots on goal.

Goshen’s defense did not bend in the second half, as Wengerd looked to grow more confident as the game wore on. That was until the 65th minute, however, when Wengerd suffered a vicious kick to the forehead while diving on the ground. Bleeding profusely, Siena Heights trainers patched up the Leafs’ new keeper.

He staggered to the ground four and a half minutes later, lightheaded from the wound.

No other players with goal keeping experience milled on Goshen’s sideline.

Enter senior forward Ashe Abebe.

Abebe, who took a minimal amount of practice reps in goal after Welscott’s condition worsened over the past week, was inserted into the lineup with just over 20 minutes remaining in the contest. Supported by a veteran defensive cast, Abebe never had to field a shot on goal from Siena Heights.

Unfortunately for Goshen, the Leafs couldn’t break the plane on Siena Heights’ end either.

“Siena Heights was ready for the challenge tonight and they came away with a hard-fought victory,” Mounsithiraj said. “I thought we played much better on both ends of the field in the second half, but today was just not our day. Overall, I was pleased with how we performed in the first match of the season. It is a long season, and we just need to get back and ready for our next match.”

In addition to leading the Saints in shots on goal, Goshen also had one more opportunity at corner-kick scoring, taking that stat by a three to four margin. Wengerd finished with three saves on the afternoon, and early indications are that he will be ready to play in the Leafs’ next match.

Perhaps a more serious query lies in the health of Welscott, however, as it is unclear when and if Goshen’s three-year starter in goal will be healthy enough to play anytime soon. After nine shut outs propelled him to his first All-MCC honor last year, Welscott is — at minimum — a valuable commodity.

With or without him, Goshen will open its home season Friday night in what will undoubtedly be a packed-house affair, as the Leafs host NCAA Division II Tiffin University. Game time is set for 7 p.m.