UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — John Carroll University converted a penalty kick for the lone goal of the match as the Blue Streaks defeated Marietta College, 1-0, Saturday (Oct. 19) evening in Ohio Athletic Conference men's soccer action. The Pioneers fall to 4-9-1 overall and 1-4 in the OAC. John Carroll improves to 10-3-2 on the season and 4-1 in the OAC.
"After Wednesday's loss, the boys came out with a renewed purpose tonight. They executed the game plan quite effectively and had them frustrated," Marietta head coach Joe Bergin said. "A soft penalty cost us the chance at a point. We are not going to mail it in, that is not in our DNA. Belief is contagious and tonight we had it. We come back home Wednesday for another chance to believe."
Pioneer goalkeeper Joey Backhaus (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) was called for a questionable foul in the box giving the Blue Streaks a penalty kick. Logan Penton converted the penalty for his second goal of the season.
Scoring opportunities were hard to come by. The Blue Streaks managed four shots on goal in the first half, while Marietta was held to one shot, none on frame.
John Carroll had a few more changes in the second half, but the Pioneer defense continued to frustrate the JCU strikers. Marietta had its best chance of the match immediately following the Blue Streak goal.
Reggie Grayek (Shavertown, Pa./Wyoming Seminary College Prep.) fired a shot that hit the left post. He collected the rebound and got off a second shot that JCU keeper Brenden Moher made a spectacular save on to preserve the clean sheet.
Moher recorded a pair of saves in the shutout victory. Backhaus posted 10 saves in goal for the Pioneers.
Marietta returns home to host Muskingum University on Wednesday (Oct. 23) at 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.
