UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — John Carroll University took a big step towards the Ohio Athletic Conference men's soccer regular season title by defeating Marietta College, 2-0, Monday (April 5) evening. The loss drops Marietta to 5-2 overall and 5-2 in the OAC. John Carroll improves to 6-0 on the season and 6-0 in conference play.
"John Carroll was the better team out there tonight. We aspire to have their kind of success and we got a lesson on how to do it tonight," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "We will get up tomorrow and get back to work. In my heart I know our guys are better than what we showed tonight. It's up to all of us to prove it."
John Carroll scored one goal in each half and then let its league-leading defense take over. The Blue Streaks limited Marietta to just one shot on goal. JCU keeper Connor Robinson posted his fifth clean sheet in six matches this season.
Jared Mattei tallied the game winner in the 32nd minute. Larry Cersosimo crossed the ball into the 6-yard box to William Grubbs drawing Marietta's keeper
Dakota Penquite (Blanchester, Ohio/Blanchester) off his line. Grubbs healed the ball back to Mattei who had an open net for the goal.
The Blue Streaks extended their lead just over 16 minutes into the second half.
William Turrittin took a free kick from 45 yards out and dropped the ball into the right side of the 18-yard box. Michael Burrington headed the ball to the far post where Jared Ianiro was waiting to head it home for a 2-0 John Carroll lead in the 62nd minute.
The Blue Streak defense frustrated Marietta all night. The Pioneers managed just four shots in the match and only one was on frame. John Carroll outshot the Pioneers 10-4, including a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal. JCU took seven corners, while Marietta had two.
Penquite played all 90 minutes in goal for the Pioneers. He recorded three saves in the match. Robinson also went the distance in goal and had one save for John Carroll.
Marietta returns home to host rival Muskingum University on Thursday (April 8). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on the blue turf of Marietta Field.
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.
