FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The new NAIA poll was released moments before the Indiana Tech men's soccer team kicked off their Wednesday afternoon game against conference rival Madonna University. The Warriors moved from No. 12 to 17, while the Crusaders jumped from No. 20 to 18, setting up a big showdown between the two sides.
 
The game would start with a bang as the Warriors scored just over two minutes after the opening whistle, setting the tone early. Mark Mc Daid would be the goal scorer on a well-timed finish after a nice assist by Emerson Nieto. Ten minutes later, Liam Arthur would double the Tech lead after taking advantage of a Madonna keeper mishap coming on a cross sent into the box by Andreas Michael. With a two-goal lead and the half nearing an end, the Warriors did not let off the gas. In the 38^th minute, Nieto would take a free kick from far side of the field and send a ball into the box where Xambos Statiotis would win the first header and Thomas Cole would put it home giving the Warriors a 3-0 lead. With just a minute left in the first half, Tech would execute another well taken set piece to make it an astounding 4-0 before the break. It would again start with Nieto on the ball, finding Cole in the box who headed it back across to Genildo Postimo to head home. Postimo had come into the game just seconds before scoring his fourth goal of the season, which turned out to be a very important goal in the end. The second half would start in the complete opposite way for the Warriors as the Crusaders won a penalty kick just 22 seconds in, converting to make it 1-4. Three minutes later, Madonna got a second goal as things started to get interesting. In the 62^nd minute, Madonna would find the back of the net once again to bring them back within just one. Tech, now on their heels, had to find a way to stifle the Crusaders momentum as there was still almost 30 minutes left in the game. After a couple substitutions, the Warriors would fend off the Crusaders for the most part, only allowing one more shot in the game, hanging on to the 4-3 victory in a crucial WHAC matchup between two of the premier teams in the league. Cuba Grant would earn the win in goal for the Warriors, making five saves.
 
The Warriors now improve to 7-3-1 overall and 3-1-0 in WHAC play. Tech will hit the road again this Saturday, October 4^th to take on Siena Heights at 4pm in Adrian, Michigan.