Marietta men tie visiting Heidelberg 1-1 in OAC men's soccer opener
Pioneers are home on Wednesday against Otterbein at 4 p.m.

Oct. 4, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College men's soccer team opened its 2008 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) season with a 1-1 tie after two overtimes against the visiting Heidelberg College Student Princes Saturday (Oct. 4) afternoon at Marietta Field. Marietta, ranked ninth in the this week's NSCAA/Adidas Regional Rankings, moved to 5-2-3 overall and 0-0-1 in the OAC. Heidelberg improved to 3-6-2 overall and 0-0-1 in the OAC.

Both goals were scored within the first 12 minutes of the match. Marietta junior forward Deric McDonald (Vienna, W.Va./Parkersburg) finished a ball inside the six-yard box off a corner kick taken by senior Jack Dunn (Aurora/University) at the 9:22 mark. The goal was McDonald's sixth on the season, giving him sole possession of the team lead.

Heidelberg responded at the 11:57 mark when midfielder Brian Juart hit a shot on the ground from 20-yards out that caromed off the far post to even the score at 1-1.

Marietta had the better of the possession and shots in the 110 minute game. The Pioneers out-shot the Student Princes 29-16 overall and 10-6 in shots on goal.

Senior Steve Hagenau (Clearwater, Fla./Central Catholic) finished the day with five saves. His counterpart, Brian Benson, finished the day with nine saves for Heidelberg.

The Pioneers are back in action on Wednesday (Oct. 8) when the Otterbein College Cardinals come to Marietta Field. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast by WMRT-FM 88.3 and can be heard online at http://pioneers.marietta.edu/onlinebroadcasts.html.