MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College junior
Colston Roades (Mount Orab, Ohio/Western Brown) buried his penalty kick in the upper righthand corner of the net sending the Pioneers into Sunday's Ohio Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Tournament Championship.
"This was game for the ages, a game where it was win or go home, a game where both teams left it all on the field," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "I am incredibly proud of this group. Down four guys to Covid protocols, we found a way to dig deep and advance."
The No. 2 seeded Pioneers battled No. 3 seed Wilmington College to a 1-1 tie after double overtime Thursday (April 15) evening on Marietta Field. The match ended with a penalty kick shootout to determined which team would move on to the championship match.
"Penalties are a cruel lottery, but credit to the boys for not giving up on it after going down twice," Bergin said. "We are honored to go to the finals, and we know JCU is a well-coached quality team. Let's be honest there is no place we'd rather be on a Sunday afternoon in April than Don Shula stadium."
With all eyes on the goalkeepers for the shootout, Marietta's
Ryan Riccillo (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak) and Wilmington's Felix Maurer didn't disappoint.
Wilmington shot first and Zach Burgmeier placed the ball inside the right post as Riccillo dove the opposite way.
Jovonni Auddino (Columbus, Ohio/Westerville North) was Marietta's first shooter, and his attempt was stopped by Maurer.
Ian Molfenter saw his shot hit the crossbar, while Marietta's
Caden Ferguson (Mars, PA./Mars Area) converted his attempt to even the shootout, 1-1, after the first two rounds.
Brady Shapiro put the Quakers in front when he placed the ball safely in the lower left corner of the net.
Ben Teasdale (Yorkshire, United Kingdom/Lady Lumleys) hit his attempt high over the crossbar opening the door for Wilmington.
Riccillo put the Pioneers back in the game when he made a diving save on Grant Murray's attempt. Murray tried to place the ball inside the left post but Riccillo made the save.
Reggie Grayek (Shavertown, Pa./Wyoming Seminary College Prep.) converted his attempt to level the shootout, 2-2, after four rounds.
Wilmington's Ryan Forino buried his attempt in the upper left corner of the net and then Elliott Britton converted his attempt for a 3-3 score.
Casey Miller took the sixth PK for the Quakers and Riccillo made another diving save giving Roades the chance to send the Pioneers into the Championship game. Roades converted his kick sending the Pioneer bench onto the field to celebrate the victory.
Riccillo, starting for just the third match all season, played outstanding all evening. The freshman posted 10 saves, in addition to his work in the shootout. Maurer recorded four saves for the Quakers.
Wilmington got on the board first with a goal from Michael Owusu in the 44th minute. Forino fired a shot off the right post and Owusu scored on the follow up shot.
Marietta tied the match at 1-1, in the 80th minute.
Gavin Chappel (Oakdale, Pa./West Allegheny) sent a corner kick in from the right side where Ferguson headed the ball inside the far post for the equalizer.
Marietta advances to play No. 1 seed John Carroll University in the championship game. The Pioneers and Blue Streaks play at 2 p.m. Sunday (April 18) in Don Shula Stadium.
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.
