FORT WAYNE, IN – The Wright State men's soccer team took an early lead on Saturday night, but the advantage would not last as the Raiders fell 3-1 at Purdue Fort Wayne in Horizon League action.
 
Wright State (2-3-3, 1-2 Horizon) got on the board in the 10th minute off a Reece Allbaugh rocket before Purdue Fort Wayne (4-2-1, 3-0 Horizon) scored a pair of first half goals to have the advantage at the break before adding a final goal in the second 45 minutes.
 
The Raiders now step back out of Horizon League play for a Tuesday night home contest against Western Michigan. Tuesday's match is set for a 5 p.m. first touch and is expected to be streamed on ESPN+.
 
Saturday night, Wright State took the early lead after playing a ball long into the Purdue Fort Wayne end, where the ball bounced around before arriving at the feet of Felix Ezekwuka, who found Allbaugh from straight on. Allbaugh settled the bouncing ball and fired, tucking the goal just inside the left post for the early lead.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne responded in the 22nd minute when Seth Mahlmeister took a misplaced ball from the Raider backline and connected from just inside the 18 to knot the score. The hosts took the lead with less than three minutes before the break off a Aidan Antcliff header via a corner kick opportunity. In the 60th minute it was Mahlmeister again with the capper.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne outshot the Raiders 19-10, paced by Mahlmeister's seven attempts, while Allbaugh had four shots to lead the Raiders. Alessandro Malterer recorded four saves for the Raiders while allowing the three goals. Wright State finished with a 5-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities, including four chances in the second half as they tried to pull back into the match. Chippy throughout, the match featured 34 total fouls between the two sides.