MARIETTA, Ohio — Goals were plentiful as the University of Mount Union defeated Marietta College by the score of 6-4 Wednesday (Oct. 29) evening in Ohio Athletic Conference men's soccer. The loss drops Marietta to 5-11-2 overall and 2-5 in the OAC. Mount Union moves to 11-2-4 overall and 4-1-2 in the OAC.

"This game was a microcosm of our season. We certainly can score but it's been a struggle on the defensive end. That was the case tonight. I would like to think four goals is enough to win a game. It wasn't tonight," Marietta head coach Joe Bergin said. "I am proud of the fight we put forth it's just unfortunate that the playoff chase has to come to an end with this loss."

Mount Union struck first when Amir Spratt got loose in the box and score an unassisted goal in the eighth minute of the match. The Pioneers leveled the match seven minutes later. Gavin Heighberger (Lagrange, Ohio/Elyria) sent the ball into the box where Parker Bolin (Albany, Ohio/Alexander) was waiting. Bolin beat the Mount Union keeper for his 15th goal of the season.

The Purple Raiders built a 3-1 lead with another goal from Spratt and one from Alex Depperschmidt. Spratt scored off an assist from Dom Kustura in the 19th minute, while Depperschmidt scored in the 23rd minute with an assist from Zander Plizga.

Bolin notched his OAC leading 16th goal in the 41st minute to get the Pioneers within a goal, 3-2 at halftime. Bolin's 16 goals are the most by a Pioneer since Jamie Malone scored 16 goals in 1984. Malone holds the Marietta single season record for goals with 18 in 1983.

Reese Utter extended the Mount Union lead to 4-2 with a goal in the 62nd minute. Depperschmidt picked up the assist.

Marietta battled back to tie the match at 4-4. Zach Kern (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River) scored his first goal of the season 16 seconds after Utter's goal. Sam Holthaus (Columbus, Ohio/University) leveled the match in the 66th minute. Alec Ellis (Charleston, W.Va./George Washington) fired off a shot that the Mount keeper stopped, but Holthaus was there to put the follow up shot into the back of the net.

Spratt notched the hat trick with his third goal of the night in the 78th minute off an assist from Utter. The Purple Raiders put the match out of reach in the 82nd minute when Utter converted a penalty kick.

Noah Walker (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional) had five saves in goal for the Pioneers. Enio Hoxha posted four saves in goal for the Purple Raiders.

Marietta finishes the 2025 season on the road. The Pioneers play at Wilmington College on Saturday (Nov. 1) at 7:00 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.