Pioneers extend win streak to three with Saturday's 5-1 victory over Bluffton

Sept. 24, 2005
MARIETTA, Ohio - Marietta's head soccer coach Patrick Holguin had to know that he was in for a pretty good Saturday (Sept. 24) when his men's team scored a goal in the 14th minute of the first half against Bluffton at Marietta Field. It was the first time the squad scored a goal in the first half this season and was followed by two more in the period en route to a 5-1 victory, extending its win streak to three games.

The Pioneers (4-3) had been previously outscored 7-0 in the first half before freshman Bradley Baweja (Kentwood, MI/East) found the back of the net off an assist from junior Mike Zourdos (Potomac, MD/The Bullis School). It was Baweja's first goal of the season.

Following a Beaver foul inside the box less than two minutes later, senior Brad Maddox (Nitro, WV) moved up from his sweeper position to drive a penalty kick past a diving keeper, giving Marietta an early 2-0 lead.

Bluffton fought back within one goal with 17:56 remaining in the half when Tyler Chapman got a shot past Brian Bugge (Stafford, VA/Colonial Forge).

Freshman Nicholas Vance (Ravenna) put Marietta back ahead 3-1 with his first collegiate goal, which came of an assist from Carlos Recchia(Brazil) in the 41st minute of the first half.

Marietta's Felix Ntow (Columbus/Mifflin) scored with 37:46 to go in the game to give MC a 4-1 advantage. The goal was Ntow's third of the year and assisted by Baweja.

Baweja picked up another assist three minutes later when Zourdos scored his second goal of the season and the final goal of the contest.

Marietta out shot Bluffton 21-9 in the win. Bugge, who played just the first half, finished with four saves, while Thad Cochran (Westerville/Worthington Christian) worked the second half and also made four saves.

The Pioneers will have one final tune up before OAC competition starts Saturday (Oct. 1). They will take on Shawnee State Wednesday (Sept. 28) under the lights at Don Drumm Stadium at 8 p.m.