MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College's men's soccer team lost to Capital University by the score of 3-0 Wednesday (Oct. 16) afternoon. Marietta falls to 4-8-1 overall and 1-3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Comets improve to 4-6-3 on the season and 3-1 in the OAC.
"Disappointment doesn't begin to describe my, and the team's, feeling," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "As has often been the case this year, we found ways to self-destruct. Credit to Cap for finding a way to get it done. The coaching staff needs to find ways to help find some success as the season is quickly slipping away."
Both teams battled throughout the first half with limited offense occurring. Marietta's
Jacob Gangle (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay) and
Lee Miller (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) offered early shots that were thwarted by Comet keeper Noah Thomas. In the 17th minute, Capital got the first score of evening as Jacob Deever booted a shot from just outside of the box. The shot was sent high into the air and arched over the outstretched hands of
Joey Backhaus (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) to give the Comets a 1-0 advantage. Capital attempted three more shots on goal in the half but could not convert. The Pioneers could not find the back of the net and trailed 1-0 going into halftime.
Marietta tried to ramp up the pressure in the second half, sending three shots in the first four minutes, but still could not get the offense rolling. Capital, on the other hand, got another scoring chance in the 56th minute and made it count as Deever collected his second score of the evening. The Comets collected a final insurance score in the 77th minute as Landon Montgomery once again looped a shot over Backhaus and into the goal. The Pioneers were not able to get back into the match and lost, 3-0.
For the match, Marietta actually outshot the Comets 15-11, but held an 8-6 deficit in shots on goal. The Pioneers also held a slight advantage in corner kicks, 3-2.
Thomas earned the shutout victory for the Comets, playing all 90 minutes and making four saves.
Backhaus played all 90 minutes in the net and recorded three saves, but allowed all three goals.
Marietta will travel to John Carroll University for a conference matchup this Saturday (Oct. 19). The match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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 X and Instagram.
