Men soccer can't overcome early deficit, fall 3-2 at Otterbein

Oct. 18, 2005
WESTERVILLE, Ohio - The Marietta College men's soccer team dropped an Ohio Athletic Conference game Tuesday (Oct.18) afternoon 3-2 to host Otterbein.

The Pioneers (6-8, 1-5 OAC) found themselves trailing 2-0 after just three minutes of play, as the Cardinals (6-7-2, 2-3-1 OAC) were able to sneak two shots inside the backside post. Justin Lewis scored off a deflection in the first minute and then added another goal, his 15th of the season, following a one-on-one with MC's keeper in the third minute. Both goals were assisted by Brett LeFever.

Marietta pulled within one in the 12th minute when senior Nick Tunnell (Parkersburg, WV/South) scored off a through ball from freshman Carlos Recchia (Brazil). Both the goal and the assist were the first of the year for each player.

A Drew Pitzer goal in the 25th minute allowed Otterbein to regain its two-goal lead, an advantage that it carried into intermission.

Recchia set up the Pioneers' second goal of the game with a pass to freshman Moussa N'Zalle (Columbus/Mifflin) in the 76th minute. N'Zalle played the pass with a one-touch shot that found the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Marietta had its chances late in the game to get the game-tying goal, but the Otterbein defense held onto the lead and achieved the 3-2 victory.

The Cardinals out shot the Pioneers 26-24 in the win. Marietta's Jordan Slavin (Parkersburg, WV/South) made 10 saves in 85 minutes, while his counterpart Justin Tatman had five.

The Pioneers continue their four-game road stand Saturday (Oct. 22) when they take on the Yellow Jackets in Berea at 3:30 p.m. The game is the second of the men and women's doubleheader with Baldwin-Wallace. The women kick things off at 1 p.m.