FORT WAYNE Ind. – The Indiana Tech men's soccer team dropped a close nonconference contest to in-state rival Indiana Wesleyan, 3-2, Thursday evening at Warrior Athletic Field.
 
The Wildcats drew first blood in the match seven and a half minutes into the contest, but the Warriors drew even in the 15^th minute as Richard Doll found Malte Dennert in the box for the equalizer. The tie was short-lived though, as the visitors regained the advantage in the 24^th minute.
 
The score would hold through the halftime and into the last 20 minutes of the second half until a misplay on a header from a Tech defended ended up in the back of the hosts net for an own goal to make it a 3-1 contest in the 76^th minute.
 
The Orange and Black got some late life in the 85^th minute as Dennert converted a penalty kick for his second goal of the night to bring the hosts within a goal, but the Wildcats defense held in the final minutes to escape with the 3-2 victory.
 
Ivan Safranic made three saves in the loss.
 
Tech (2-2-0) returns to action Saturday as they hit the road to take on Bethel College. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. from Morey Field.