MARIETTA, Ohio — As we continue to celebrate Marietta College Men's Soccer history our Defensive Player of the 1967-1979 Decade is Abbey Gladstone, class of 1978.
Beginning as a freshman in 1974 Abbey started every game in his career as a Marietta College Soccer player and he was named the Team's Most Valuable Player in 1975 and 1977. He was named All-Ohio Athletic Conference in all four of his years, culminating with first team honors in 1977.
Abbey received All-Ohio honors in 1975 and a first team honor in 1977. In those days the All-Ohio teams were not separated by divisions so Abbey was recognized as one of the best 11 alongside not just D3 players but D2 and D1 as well.
Abbey finished his Marietta College career with program records for the most games played, most career points, most career goals, tied for most goals in a season and tied for most assists in a single season. Abbey held those career offensive records despite playing his last two years as a defender.
Abbey was part of the team that set the school record for most wins in 1974 and then tied it again in 1977. He was named the team's co-Most Valuable Player in 1975 and the Most Valuable Player in 1977. Abbey won the athletic department's prestigious Way-Weigelt Award in 1978.
We would be remiss if we didn't mention that in baseball he was named to the All-Region team in 1977 & 78 and in both of those years he also won All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors. Abbey was the first men's soccer player inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame when he received that honor in 1993.
