MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College men's lacrosse team entered the fourth quarter down two goals, only to tie the score and force an overtime period.  The Pioneers got the game winning goal with less than a minute on the clock and claimed an exciting 11-10 overtime victory over Wittenberg University Saturday (Feb. 21) afternoon.  With the win, the Pioneers improve to 2-1 overall and with the loss the Tigers fall to 0-2 overall.  
 
"Tonight's game was an incredible testament to our team's competitiveness," said Marietta head coach Nathan Grover.  "We fought for a full 60 minutes-plus and came away with a hard fought win!"

The Tigers struck first in the opening period as they got a goal from Ty Harris to take a 1-0 lead.  The Pioneers answered after five minutes of play as Ryan Kenney (Edgemere, Md./Archbishop Curley) broke through for an unassisted score.  Harris was able to push another score by in the final minute and Wittenberg led 2-1 going into the second period. 
 
Marietta got a score from Jeff McKnight (Port Republic, Va./Ignite Christian Academy) three minutes into the second period to tie up the score, but Wittenberg got four consecutive score, three from Travis Demshur, to take a commanding lead.  McKnight slowed the momentum a bit with a goal in the final minute but Marietta trailed 6-3 going into intermission.
 
The Pioneers were able to chip away at the lead in the third period.  Sam Leininger (Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake) scored quickly to cut the lead to two, but Wittenberg answered with a score from Jackson Lane and another from Demshur to widen the lead.  Marietta got scores from Tommy Imhof (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) and Nathan Hamilton (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) to cut into the lead, but were held scoreless for the final six minutes.  The Pioneers entered the fourth quarter with a slim 8-6 deficit.  
 
Leininger got the Pioneers rolling with a quick score to open the fourth and cut the lead to one, but the Tigers got another goal from Demshur to push it back to a two-goal lead.  The lead remained until the 4:09 mark as Leininger scored to cut the lead to one again.  Just one minute later, Cannon Fox (New Concord, Ohio/John Glenn) powered into the box and put in the tying goal, forcing an overtime period.  Both teams battled back and forth, with both goalkeepers getting tough saves.  In the final minute, after Wittenberg hit the crossbar on their shot, Xzandre Flohr (Akron, Ohio/Copley) picked up the groundball and made a successful clear.  Flohr would send a pass to Alec Anderson (Loveland, Ohio/Little Miami), who found McKnight approaching the goal.  McKnight would send a shot into the net for the game winner. The Pioneers would claim the thrilling 11-10 overtime win.

Cal Henthorne (Wooster, Ohio/St. Edward) played the duration in the nets for the Pioneers and faced 25 shots on goal and had 15 saves.

McKnight tied for the team lead with three goals, including the game-winner, and assisted on two others.  Leininger also scored three goals.  Fox scored a goal and led the Pioneers with three assists.  Barrett Lindell (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mariemont) and Caden Alkire (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) led the defensive effort.  Alkire led with four caused turnovers apiece and picked up four groundballs.  Lindell led with five groundballs picked up.

"This is a very special group who has a never quit mentality and will fight for each other for the entirety of a game," concluded Grover. "I am incredibly proud of this team!!"

Marietta will return to the field Wednesday (Feb. 25) when they travel to battle Chatham University, with the game scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Fans can follow all of 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.