MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College men's soccer team struck for two quick goals en route to a 3-0 victory over visiting Bluffton University in the opening round of the 2009 Marietta Soccer Classic Saturday (Sept. 5) afternoon at Marietta Field.

The Pioneers, who improved to 1-1, will face Maryville (Tenn.) College in the championship game on Sunday (Sept. 6) afternoon at 3 p.m. Maryville advanced with a 4-1 victory over St. Vincent (Pa.) College in the other first round game on Saturday.

Marietta, looking to bounce back from a season-opening loss to Kenyon on Tuesday, wasted no time taking control of this match as it scored a pair of goals in the first seven minutes. Senior forward Deric McDonald (Vienna, W.Va., Parkersburg) sent a forward pass from the midfield senior forward Kyle Muth (Twinsburg, Twinsburg), who was streaking down the field. Muth then scored the break away goal with a shot from 15 yards just 83 seconds into the game.

It was McDonald's turn to finish in the seventh minute. Sophomore defender Trenton Tunnell (Parkersburg, W.Va./South) started the play with a long pass to Muth. Muth quickly crossed it to McDonald in front of the goal for the finish and a 2-0 lead.

Muth added his second goal of the game in the 84th minute when he scored off a rebounded shot from McDonald to give him points on the day.

Marietta out shot Bluffton 19-2 overall and 8-2 in shots on goal. Sophomore Andrew Shannon (Cincinnati, Mariemont) earned the shutout by making two saves in 90 minutes. Brian Good made five saves for Bluffton in a losing effort.