ADA, Ohio — Due to continuing issues with flooding and poor field conditions, the Marietta College men's lacrosse team was forced to move their home contest to Ohio Northern University. The Polar Bears exploded for nine goals in the first half and never looked back, defeating the Pioneers, 13-1. The Pioneers fall to 7-6 overall and 4-2 in the OAC. ONU improves to 10-4 on the season and 4-1 in the OAC.
The first quarter saw both teams start with lengthy first possessions. The Polar Bears were able to get a shot off, which was saved by
Ben Millard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston). The Pioneers turned the ball over on their first possession and ONU capitalized on the other side of the field as Aiden Dempsey broke free and fired a shot into the goal for the first score of the game. That score held until the final four minutes of the period as Ohio Northern added a trio of scores to take a 4-0 lead into the second period.
The Pioneers continued to struggle offensively although
Nate Neal (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) was very successful in the face off. Marietta attempted only three shots in the period, but the Polar Bears stayed on the offensive and added five scores, taking a 9-0 lead going into the intermission.
Both teams played a scoreless third quarter.
James Cipollone (Forest Hill, Md./Calvert Hall) was inserted into the game as goalie and made six saves, but Marietta could not answer and trailed 9-0 going into the final period.
Logan Podgorski (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bethel Park) finally got Marietta on the board two minutes into the final quarter, scoring off an assist from
Chase Franklin (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon). That would be the only Pioneer tally, but ONU added four more scores and claimed the 13-1 consecutive victory.
Millard faced 17 shots on goal and made eight saves. Cipollone finished with nine saves in the 13 shots on goal he faced.
Neal ended 12-for-17 in faceoffs and led the Pioneers with 10 groundballs.
The Pioneers will travel to Capital University the Wednesday (April 17) for what will hopefully be their final regular season road game. The game is scheduled to start 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.
