MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College scored on a set piece just over four minutes into the match and then held on to defeat the University of Mount Union, 1-0, Wednesday (Oct. 17) evening in men's soccer action.
Marietta improves to 8-7 on the season and 2-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Purple Raiders fall to 10-3 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
"This wasn't one of the prettiest games we've ever played but it is three points and at this point of the season we will take it," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "Mount is a really good team and we knew it would be a battle and it was. I'm very proud of the boys tonight."
Mount Union was called for a foul in the fifth minute giving the Pioneers a direct kick from outside the 18-yard box.
Cole Pappas (Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth) took the kick and sent a perfect pass into the left corner of the six-yard box to
Andy Rolfes (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton).
Rolfes took the pass and fired a shot inside the left post for what would prove to be the game winning goal. It was the fourth goal of the season for Rolfes.
Marietta dominated possession in the first half but couldn't produce quality shot against the OAC's top defense. The Purple Raiders have recorded nine shutouts this season and allowed only six goals prior to tonight's match.
Mount Union turned up the pressure in the second half outshooting the Pioneers, 15-9, after halftime. However, the Marietta defense was up to the challenge limiting the Purple Raiders to only a pair of shots on goal for the match.
Dakota Penquite (Blanchester, Ohio/Blanchester) went the distance in goal for the Pioneers. He recorded two saves and his second shutout of the season. The clean sheet was Marietta's fourth on the year.
Supporting Penquite was Marietta's back line of
Colston Roades (Mount Orab, Ohio/),
Zach Johnson (Beckley, W.Va./Woodrow Wilson),
Anthony D'Egidio (Canton, Ohio/Dover) and
Noah Laliberty (Scott Depot, W.Va./Winfield).
Zach Hlas had two saves in goal for the Purple Raiders.
Marietta hosts league-leading John Carroll University on Saturday (Oct. 20) at 7 p.m. The Pioneers will honor their seven seniors prior to the match.
Fans can follow all of 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.
