WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Top-seeded Otterbein University scored 62 seconds into overtime to come from behind and beat Marietta College 2-1 in the semifinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Tournament Thursday (Nov. 2) evening.
The Pioneers finish the season 11-6-3 overall. Otterbein improves to 16-2 on the season and will host crosstown rival Capital University, who defeated John Carroll in a shootout, in the championship on Saturday.
Marietta went on the attack early and grabbed the lead in the 17th minute.
Luke Maher (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) slipped the ball inside the near post for an unassisted goal, his third of the season.
Otterbein regrouped at halftime and went on the offensive in the second half. The Cardinals got the equalizer in the 67th minute. Gavin Koerner headed the ball home with assist from Pau Piang and Jaden Lunger. The goal was Koerner's second of the season.
Both teams had chances to take the lead in regulation. Marietta's best opportunity came with just over five minutes left in the second half.
Tom Sloan (Stockport, England/Wilmslow) caught Otterbein keeper Collin Hoffmann out of his box on the right side and tried to slip a shot inside the far post. A Cardinal defender cleared the ball off the line to prevent the go ahead goal.
Otterbein didn't waste any time in the extra period. The Cardinals earned a corner kick 30 seconds into overtime. Toby Varland drooped the corner into the box where Jaden Lunger was waiting to take the shot.
Lunger's shot was blocked, as was a follow up shot by Nate Norris. The Pioneers were unable to clear the ball and Norris finished off the scrum and the match with his sixth goal of the season. Bryan Luckscheiter was credited with the assist.
Marietta keeper
Tyler Sholl (Johnstown, Ohio/Big Walnut) finished with five saves, while Hoffmann made a pair of stops in the match.
For the match, Otterbein outshot the Pioneers 18-9, including a 7-3 edge in shots on goal. The Cardinals had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.
Seven Pioneers finished their career in the Navy Blue and White. Marietta says goodbye to Sholl,
Brent Huck (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta),
Kyle Rosselot (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg),
Jake Smith (Arthurdale, W.Va./Preston),
Will Walther (Pataskala, Ohio/Saint Charles Prep),
Josh Albright (Martin, Ohio/St. Francis de Sales) and
Alex Gruss (Portage, Pa./Bishop Carroll Catholic).
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.
