MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College defeated Wilmington College by the score of 2-1 Saturday (Nov. 2) afternoon in Ohio Athletic Conference men's soccer action. The Pioneers finish the season with a 6-10-2 overall record and 3-5-1 in the OAC. Wilmington falls to 11-5-3 on the season and 4-5-0 in the OAC.
"It would have been easy for the boys to mail it in, but full credit to them, they wanted this win," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "Wilmington threw everything but the kitchen sink at us in the last 15 minutes but the defense held strong. The season didn't go the way we wanted but I am hopeful that we learn from it moving forward."
Christopher Rodriguez (Northridge, Calif./Daniel Pearl Magnet) got the Pioneers on the board in the 58th minute. Rodriguez took possession of the ball near midfield and dribbled up the left side before moving inside and firing a shot from 40-yards. The ball skipped through the legs of Wilmington keeper Cameron Weirather and into the goal.
Lee Miller (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) made it 2-0 in favor of the Pioneers in the 61st minute.
Gavin Heighberger (Lagrange, Ohio/Elyria) played the ball to the top of the 6-yard box where Miller fired the ball inside the left post for the game winner.
Wilmington cut the lead in half 10 minutes later. William Jansson sent a corner into the box where Alfie Harris headed it inside the left post for the goal.
The Quakers stayed on the attack, but Marietta's defense turned them away. Joe Backhaus went the distance in goal posting four saves. The back line was anchored
Ian Yarwood (Beloit, Ohio/West Branch),
Sam Holthaus (Columbus, Ohio/University) and Rodriguez with help from
Reggie Grayek (Shavertown, Pa./Wyoming Seminary College Prep.) in the midfield.
The Pioneers will say goodbye to 11 seniors. Backhaus, Grayek, Rodriguez, Yarwood,
Luke Price (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg),
Jacob Gangle (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay),
Macagey Laure (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington),
Taj Haidar (Sylvania, Ohio/Sylvania Southview),
Sean Fournier (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta),
Mason Landis (Stow, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary), and
Nate Long (Massillon, Ohio/Perry) concluded their careers in the Navy Blue and White.
"Thank you to our 11 seniors," Bergin said. "They have put their heart and soul into this program, and I am thankful for that."
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.
