MOUNT BERRY, Ga. — Marietta College men's soccer scored a goal in each half to beat previously undefeated Birmingham-Southern College by the score of 2-1 Saturday (Sept. 8) afternoon at the Berry Invitational. The Pioneers improve to 2-1 on the season, while the Panthers slip to 4-1 overall.
"We have discussed how we are on a business trip and I am proud of the way the boys approached the game," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "We once again overcame some adversity by losing
Zach Johnson (Beckley, W.Va./Woodrow Wilson) early in the game to injury, but
Rayce Ritzenthaler (Blacklick, Ohio/), a freshman, stepped up and did a very good job filling in."
Senior
Tom Sloan (Stockport, England/Wilmslow) put Marietta on top in the 33rd minute.
Ray Rott (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island) sent the ball into the box where Sloan was waiting to head it home inside the left post for his first goal of the season.
The Pioneers dominated play for most of the afternoon outshooting BSC, 21-11, for the match, including a 13-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Birmingham-Southern leveled the match in the 48th minute. Rafael Millan put the ball in play off a corner kick and Ryan Hepp scored on a header for a 1-1 score.
Marietta reclaimed the lead in the 82nd minute.
Noah Laliberty (Scott Depot, W.Va./Winfield) crossed the ball to
Austin Hilt (Lynchburg, Ohio/) who tallied his first collegiate goal.
"Hilt, another freshman, scored the game winner so we continue to get contributions from our freshmen," Bergin said. "Overall I'm happy with the progress, but we need to continue to improve and that will start tomorrow with a good Berry team. Our business trip continues."
Trevor Dysktra went the distance in net for the Pioneers. Dykstra recorded a pair of saves. Galen Curry notched 10 saves in 90 minutes for the Panthers.
Marietta plays the host school, Berry College, Sunday (Sept. 9) at 12 p.m.
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.
