Aug. 21, 2004
MARIETTA, Ohio - Pioneer coach Patrick Holguin enters his seventh year as the head men’s soccer coach. The atmosphere surrounding pre-season camp is that of enthusiasm, as the Pioneers are determined to overcome the disappointment of last season and make another run in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) title in 2004.

The Pioneers return 12 letterwinners, including nine seniors to lead a core of experienced players, as they look to improve each time they take the field.

"This is the most talented team i have assembled in my tenure at Marietta College," said Holguin. "We expect to finish better than the 2002 season, when we went 12-5-2."

If the Pioneers are to surpass the 12-win season of 2002, they must do a better job of winning the close games. In 2003, Marietta set a school record for overtimes (six), as well as ties (five), in a season and finished with a 6-8-5 overall record, 3-6 in the OAC.

Holguin expects tri-captains Joe Bothner (Friendswood, TX), Brad Maddox (Nitro, WV) and Jason Pendell (Charleston, WV/Capital) to provide the leadership for his team.

2003 All-OAC selection Marcos Vaca will lead the offense again in 2004.

Bothner and and fellow senior Marcos Vaca (Houston, TX) return after having All-OAC seasons a year ago. Bothner played solid defense all fall and finished with one goal, while Vaca led MC's offense with six goals and two assists. He currently sits eighth all-time on MC's career assists list with 13.

Maddox, a junior, added four goals and one assist in 2003. Adam Cervenka (Mentor) will tend goal after splitting time in 2003. Cervenka allowed 15 goals and made 48 saves in 683 minutes a year ago.

The Navy Blue & White have added a strong recruiting class, which will provide depth to the upperclassmen, and they will once again play a tough nonconference schedule, preparing them for a run at the OAC title.

The Pioneers open the season with the 2004 MC Classic (Sept. 3-5). On Friday (Sept. 3) Marietta will host Carthage (WI) at 4 p.m. and then battle Wooster on Sunday (Sept. 5) at 2 p.m. Both games will be played on the new FieldTurf at Don Drumm Stadium, which will be the Pioneers' home field for the season, while construction of the new soccer field continues through the fall in preparation for play in 2005.

"The OAC will once again be a very competitive conference," said Holguin. "Our men will be definitely be a team to watch."