FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A goal in the opening minutes of the match was the difference for Indiana Tech (4-0) in its 1-0 win over Shawnee State (0-4). The Warriors lit the scoreboard on their first shot of the day in the second minute and would hold the Bears' offense at bay for the remaining time.
Indiana Tech took 15 shots over the course of the game to the Bears' nine; however, the Bears would only put two on frame, both of which were saved by the Warriors' Reece Richardson who finished with the shutout. Junior Thomas Carbonari finished with three saves in each half, stopping six of the seven Indiana Tech shots on goal.
Throughout the entire first half, Indiana Tech held a 9-4 advantage in shots. When the Bears were able to get their offense attack going, Luke Purpero took three shots in the first 45 minutes, including the one on goal, while a shot from Dylan Stevens traveled wide of the frame. Shawnee State also had one corner but was unable to get any offense off of the attempt.
The play turned chippy in the second half with five yellow cards between the two squads to go along with the two Indiana Tech warnings from the opening half. Despite the physical play, the Bears held their ground and took five shots versus the Warriors' six in the second half.
Shawnee State's only attempt on goal in the second half came from Chad Johnston in the 54th minute of play; however, he was denied on his bid. The Bears would also attempt shots that sailed wide of the frame in the 66th and 72nd minute.
With time winding down on a chance to net the equalizer, the Bears would get two shots off in the final six minutes. However, attempts from Joseph Webster in the 85th minute and a shot from Stevens with just a minute to play would go wide.
For the game, Purpero and Stevens each finished three shots. Kevin Copenhaver, Johnston and Webster would each tally one shot on the score sheet. Playing the full 90 minutes and allowing just the one goal, Carbonari lowered his goals against average to 2.18. He now has a save percentage of .829 for the season.
After four games in a seven day span, the Bears will have a week to recover and regroup before getting back on the Shawnee Turf during Alumni Weekend next Saturday, September 8. That match will be the second in a doubleheader with women's soccer against Bluffton University and is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.
