MARIETTA, Ohio — Senior
Gavin Long (Surrey, United Kingdom/John Fisher School) recorded a hat trick to lead Marietta College over Earlham College by the score of 3-0 Friday (Sept. 17) evening in men's soccer action. The Pioneers improve to 2-3-1 overall, while the Quakers slip to 0-5 on the season.
"Gavin's opening goal was absolutely brilliant. It relaxed us and allowed us to get in a flow. After Gavin's second goal they adjusted and we were slow to react to that," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "I wasn't particularly pleased with the start of the second half, but the subs we made really made a difference. Gavin finished the game off with his third goal and allowed us to get some guys some rest. This was a nice win in front of a good Friday night crowd. A couple days of rest and we have to get ready for a really good Kenyon team next week."
Long's hat trick was the first for Marietta since Will McAlister tallied three goals against Wilmington in 2019.
Long gave Marietta the lead with his first goal just over 10 minutes into the match.
Gavin Chappel (Oakdale, Pa./West Allegheny) heeled the ball back to Long who drilled his shot off the crossbar and into the goal for a 1-0 Pioneer lead.
Earlham was called for a hand ball in the box giving Marietta a penalty kick. Long converted the PK in the 32nd minute and Marietta led 2-0 at halftime.
Long completed the hat trick in the 78th minute.
Jacob Roberto (Berea, Ohio/Berea-Midpark) centered the ball to Long at the top of the 18-yard box. Long fired a bullet from the right side of the box inside the far left post for the goal and 3-0 Pioneer lead.
Marietta limited Earlham to just two shots in the match and only one on goal. Marietta took 17 total shots, including six on goal.
Joey Backhaus (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) started in goal for the Pioneers and recorded one save in 80-plus minutes for the win.
Nate Long (Massillon, Ohio/Perry) played the final nine minutes for Marietta.
Henry Wildes went the distance in goal for Earlham. He notched three saves.
Marietta travels to Kenyon College on Wednesday (Sept. 22) for a 5:15 p.m. match.
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.
