Goshen, IN — Coming into Tuesday night’s match at the Goshen College Soccer Complex, the Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats were carrying some pretty gaudy numbers in their duffel bags. Unbeaten through 11 matches, the Wildcats had outscored their opponents by a 62-4 count on the season and were ranked 19th in the nation at the NAIA level. They had averaged seven goals per game against Goshen in the last four seasons. The Leafs, meanwhile, had only won a single game all year and were still banged up from several injuries to key players.

That’s what made Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Indiana Wesleyan so special.

With an emphasis on the defensive end of the field from the opening kick off, Goshen (1-10-1, 0-4) played perhaps its most inspired soccer of the season, holding the visiting Wildcats to a season-low one goal through 89 minutes of soccer. Wesleyan added a meaningless score with just one minute remaining in the match, as Goshen pushed forward looking for an equalizer. Despite the late momentum killer, Goshen head coach Thavisith Mounsithiraj said he was greatly pleased with his team’s effort and heart.

“Soccer is the kind of game that a tie and even a loss can sometimes feel like a win,” Mounsithiraj said following the match. “Tonight, we played one of the best matches in my coaching tenure here at Goshen College. To allow only two goals to IWU is quite an accomplishment for our program. What is even more remarkable is that these kids are playing with major injuries. I am very impressed with how the kids responded to the unrelenting pressure from a very potent offensive team of IWU.”

It was apparent from the match’s outset that Wesleyan was in for a dogfight, as the Wildcat coaching staff and substitute players urged their team to get on track.

For the most part, it never happened.

Goshen packed the defensive third of the field to limit Wesleyan’s chances, and the plan was working. Junior Hannah Eash anchored a solid defensive effort aided in part by classmate Mary Jo Martin, sophomore Sara Groff and freshmen Amy Clem and goalkeeper Emmy Gibson.

Also in the mix were midfielders Molly Kauffman (senior), Lucy Roth (sophomore) and Claire Lagerwey (sophomore), verbally leading the team in thwarting many of Wesleyan’s attacks before they even got close to the 18-yard box.

“Our seniors really stepped up to the challenge tonight,” Mounsithiraj said. “Molly Kauffman had one of her best games in her career. Despite putting an emphasis on defense as a team, (senior) Tara (Plank) made some fantastic runs up front and kept their defense honest. I thought Lucy Roth and Claire Lagerwey displayed the kind of skills that I was looking for when I recruited them. Everyone on the team displayed well rounded play.”

Indiana Wesleyan’s only true score of the night came with just 15 minutes remaining in the first half, when one of the team’s 12 corner kicks came back to bite the Leafs. The Wildcats sent a beautiful ball into the box, and Goshen did not play it physically enough: A Wesleyan forward was able to leap above the pack, heading the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Despite the score, Goshen persisted. The team played the remainder of the first half without another serious attack from the visitors, and at halftime Mounsithiraj talked about defending until the very end. If the team could hold Wesleyan scoreless through the majority of the second period, it would then attempt a final effort for the equalizer late.

All went according to plan. Goshen was able to keep the Wildcats at bay throughout the half, thanks in part to several incredible saves by Gibson — 13 on the night — that left the student-body crowd gasping.

With under 10 minutes on the clock, Mounsithiraj ordered a push on the Wildcats’ end of the field. Plank and sophomore Erica Hartman were able to break free on several occasions, but could not get a quality scoring look. Perhaps Goshen’s best chance at an equalizer came with just under eight minutes to play, when Lagerwey took a corner kick. Her send came up just short of the goal box, however, and Wesleyan was able to clear the ball out of danger.

Perhaps the most saddening moment came with just one minute remaining in the contest, when the Wildcats pushed the ball back down field after a Goshen attack. With the numbers in its favor, Wesleyan was able to create a one on one opportunity in front of the Leafs’ goal. The Wildcats’ Katie Malick was able to rocket a shot past Gibson from point blank range, leaving the ball stuck in the back of the net.

It was a reminder to Mounsithiraj of just how potent the Wesleyan team could be.

“We organized and pressured well all night,” Mounsithiraj said. “Aside from allowing only two goals, we were able to create some quality combination offensively. This team is very capable of playing good soccer. They demonstrated that tonight and I’m very proud.”

Goshen will not have much time to wait before taking the field again. The team will host Rochester College in a non-conference match Thursday night. Match time is set to begin at approximately 6 p.m., following the men’s match with the Warriors. That event is slated to begin at 4 p.m.