PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Marietta College failed to convert an early penalty kick as the Pioneers fell at Chatham University by the score of 3-0 Friday (Aug. 29) evening in men's soccer action. Marietta starts the 2025 season 0-1, while Chatham is off to a 1-0 start.
 
"Goals change games, and we didn't take our clear-cut chances. They were able to," Marietta head coach Joe Bergin said. "I'm disappointed but it works from the top down. We could have done things differently to help the team get that elusive first goal. No time to dwell as we have to turn around and play a well-rested Bluffton team on Sunday."
 
Marietta had a perfect opportunity to grab the lead when Chatham was whistled for a foul in the box in the sixth minute. Gavin Heighberger (Lagrange, Ohio/Elyria) took the penalty, but Cougar keeper Maxwell Cottrill made the save.
 
Despite dominating play in the first half Marietta trailed 1-0 at halftime. The Pioneers outshot Chatham 7-4 and had a 7-0 advantage on corners in the first 45 minutes. But the Cougars made the most of their lone scoring opportunity when Charlie Ayers scored off an assist from Xavier Johnston in the 26th minute.
 
The Cougars added a pair of second half goals for the 3-0 victory. Bennett Haas scored an unassisted goal in the 75th minute and then added a second goal three minutes later off an assist from Domenic Mannarino.
 
Cottrill went the distance in goal for Chatham notching three saves and the clean sheet. Noah Walker (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional) started and took the loss for the Pioneers. He made two saves and allowed then three goals.
 
Marietta hosts Bluffton University for its home opener on Sunday (Aug. 31). Kickoff is set for 3:00 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.