MARIETTA, Ohio — Parker Bolin (Albany, Ohio/Alexander) scored four goals leading Marietta College to a come from behind, 4-3, victory over Bluffton University Sunday (Aug. 31) afternoon in the Pioneers' home opener. Marietta improves to 1-1 overall while Bluffton falls to 0-1.

"Bluffton came out and smacked us in the face. After we went down 2-0, we brought some fresh legs in and they made a huge difference and it turned the game," Marietta head coach Joe Bergin said. "For us to get the first Parker goal before half gave us some life going into the locker room. The second half was dominantly impressive, and I cannot say enough about Parker. He's a finisher. We have lots to build on and to be honest we still are figuring things out as a team. But I'll take figuring things out with a win any day."

Bolin's four goals tied the Marietta College record for goals in a match. He is the fourth Pioneer to do it with the last one being Ben Cunningham against Washington and Jefferson in 1994. The last Pioneer hat trick was by Gavin Long against Earlham in 2021.

Bluffton started the game on the attack and found the back of the net twice. Alex Brown scored in the 12th minute off an assist from Leonardo Campos. Campos made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute when his follow up shot beat the Pioneer keeper.

The Pioneers got a crucial goal to cut the Beaver lead in half before halftime. Bolin took the ball into the box and was fouled earning a penalty kick in the 29th minute. Bolin converted the penalty making it 2-1.

Bolin tallied the equalizer in the 62nd minute. Bolin score with an assist from Pat Williamson (Hove, Sussex, United KIngdom/Cardinal Newman). 30 seconds later, Gavin Heighberger (Lagrange, Ohio/Elyria) fed the ball to Bolin for the go-ahead goal.

Heighberger and Bollin connected again in the 76th minute giving Marietta a 4-2 lead. Bluffton refused to go quietly and got within one when Brown scored an unassisted goal in the 84th minute for the final 4-3 score.

Freshman Landon Mautz (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) went the distance in goal in his collegiate debut. He recorded two saves. Zach Johnson had seven saves in goal for the Beavers.

Marietta plays at Washington and Jefferson College on Wednesday (Sept. 3) 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.