MARIETTA, Ohio — Two weeks ago we focused on the greatest offensive player in the history of the program in Jamie Malone '86. Today we are highlighting arguably the best defensive player in the history of the men's soccer program, Dele Adedapo, class of 2011.
Dele was recruited by Coach of the Decade Patrick Holguin as a transfer out of Ohio State (OSU) in 2007. Originally from Gahanna, he played his club ball at Ohio Premier and played one year at OSU. His success on the field for Marietta was instant as he was named to the All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), All-Ohio and All-Region teams in 2007, his first year on the pitch for MC. In addition, the team qualified for the OAC playoffs for the first time in 10 years finishing with an 8-8-2 record.
The 2008 season was a high mark for the program and Dele was a big part of it. The team went on a late season run and made it all the way to the OAC Tournament Finals knocking off top seeded Capital University in overtime in the semifinals before falling to Ohio Northern in the championship. This trip to the finals remains the only OAC tournament championship match appearance in school history. Adedapo scored eight goals during the season and was awarded once again with All-OAC, All-Ohio and All-Region honors.
Dele capped off his soccer career in 2009 with the team's third consecutive OAC tournament appearance. He was honored for a third year in a row with All-OAC, All-Ohio and All-Region awards. He remains the only player in Marietta Soccer history to receive All-Region honors three times. In addition to those awards he was also named the OAC's Defender of the Year in 2009. He is the first, and only, Pioneer to win this award.
Adedapo was not yet done making an impact on Pioneer athletics as he suited up for the football team as a kicker and return man in 2010 and scored on a 81-yard kickoff return against Capital.
