TIFFIN, Ohio — The Marietta College men's soccer team exacted a little revenge against Heidelberg University with a 3-0 win Saturday (Oct. 22) afternoon. The Pioneers were 0-3-1 the last three seasons in Tiffin with all three losses by one goal, including twice in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament.
"We had to have this performance today and the boys delivered," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "We've been here a lot the past couple of years and it feels good to get one against a good Heidelberg team. We need to keep it going on Tuesday (at Otterbein)."
The win improves Marietta to 9-7-1 overall and 4-3 in the OAC. Heidelberg falls to 6-8-1 on the season and 3-3-1 in conference play.
With two regular season matches remaining, the Pioneers are in fourth place in the league standings and in a position to host a first round game in the OAC Tournament. The top six teams qualify for the tournament with Nos. 1 and 2 receiving a first round bye.
After battling through a scoreless first half, Marietta wasted little time grabbing the lead after the intermission. One minute and 11 seconds into the second period
Taylor Reasoner (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) sent a cross into the box where
Josh Baskind (Solon, Ohio/Solon) went upper 90 for his second goal of the season.
Luke Maher (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) doubled the lead in the 67th minute when he chested home a loose ball. It was Maher's first goal of the season.
Andy Rolfes (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) put the match away with an unassisted goal in the 73rd minute, his fifth of the season.
Tyler Sholl (Johnstown, Ohio/Big Walnut) went the distance in goal for Marietta and made five saves en route to his fourth clean sheet of the year. The Pioneers back line of
Brent Huck (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta), Maher,
Noah Laliberty (Scott Depot, W.Va./Winfield) and
Sebastian Ziaja (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) kept the Student Prince attack in check all afternoon.
For the match, Heidelberg outshot the Pioneers 18-14, although Marietta put six shots on goal to five for the Student Princes. Heidelberg also had a 10-4 edge in corner kicks.
Marietta plays at Otterbein University on Tuesday (Oct. 25) at 7 p.m. Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
