MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College battled defending Ohio Athletic Conference champion John Carroll University to a double overtime scoreless draw Saturday (Oct. 23) evening in men's soccer action.
The Pioneers move to 5-6-4 overall and 2-2-3 in the OAC. John Carroll is 8-3-4 on the season and 5-0-2 in conference matches.
"I am incredibly proud of the effort tonight. Playing a team as good as JCU is always a challenge. Add the injuries that we continue to deal with and it just adds to the challenge," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "We dealt with it and actually really grew into the game. We couldn't find that goal, but a point at this stage is big. We have a massive week ahead of us."
While scoring opportunities were limited by both defenses, Marietta had a chance to grab the lead in the 84th minute.
Evan Taylor (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay) found himself with the ball in the top right corner of the 18-yard box and fired a shot to the far post that JCU keeper Connor Robinson just got a piece of to deflect it wide.
The only real scoring chance in overtime came midway through the first extra period. The Blue Streaks were whistled for a foul near midfield.
Dave Beattie (Russell, Ohio/West Geauga) took the free kick and sent the ball to the left side of the 18-yard box where
Jacob Roberto (Berea, Ohio/Berea-Midpark) headed it into the center of six to
Taj Haidar (Sylvania, Ohio/Sylvania Southview). Haidar's header went just over the cross bar.
Marietta keeper
Ryan Riccillo (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak) posted two saves as the Pioneer back line limited John Carroll to nine shots in the match. The MC defense included Beattie,
Colston Roades (Mount Orab, Ohio/Western Brown), Conner Kennedy,
Thadd Graham (Sunbury, Ohio/Olentangy) and
Elliot Britton (High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire/John Hampden Grammar).
The Blue Streak defense was just as effective. Robinson finished with three saves in goal as the Pioneers were held to 10 total shots.
Marietta closes out the regular season with a pair of road matches next week. The Pioneers play at Muskingum on Wednesday (Oct. 27) and at Baldwin Wallace on Saturday (Oct. 30). Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.
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.
