MARIETTA, Ohio — Despite playing the second half with a man advantage, Marietta College opened the 2024 season with a disappointing 1-0 loss to visiting Chatham University Friday (Aug. 30) evening in nonconference men's soccer action.
"I'm disappointed with the first 20 minutes. It was a continuation of our previous training session, and we found ourselves chasing the game," Marietta head coach
Joe Bergin said. "The red card changed the game but credit to them for a strong defensive effort. We just couldn't get it done. We have to bounce back Sunday."
Chatham was aggressive from the opening whistle earning a couple of quick corners while getting called for five fouls and two offsides in the first 19 minutes of the match. The Cougar pressure paid off in the 21st minute. Caleb Manse fired a shot from 25 yards out that deflected off a Pioneer defender and into the net for the only goal of the match.
Shortly after the Chatham goal the match was stopped due to lightning in the area. Following an hour delay, the teams returned to the pitch and finished the match.
The physical play continued throughout the first half with the two teams combining for 15 fouls and six cards. A scrum at the end of the first half resulted in a Chatham player being sent off with a red card forcing the Cougars to play down a man the entire second half.
Marietta pushed the attack in the second half trying to find the equalizer. The Pioneers had several opportunities but struggled to put the ball on frame. Marietta earned five corners and fired off 13 shots in the second half.
For the game, Marietta took 23 shots, including seven on goal, to 13 shots and five on goal for the Cougars. Both teams took seven corners in the match.
Joey Backhaus (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) went the distance in goal for the Pioneers recording four saves. Maxwell Cottrill posted the clean sheet in goal for the Cougars making seven saves in the match.
Marietta hosts Washington and Jefferson College on Sunday (Sept. 1) at 3 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.
