Marietta soccer opens road swing with 3-2 victory at Bethany (W.Va.)
Baweja, Muth and Adedapo score goals for the Pioneers

Sept. 12, 2007
BETHANY, W.Va. — After playing its first four games surrounded by the comforts of home, the Marietta College men's soccer team took to the road for the first time in 2007 on Wednesday (Sept. 12) afternoon, traveling to Bethany (W.Va.) College for a non conference game. The unfamiliar scenery failed to slow down the Pioneers' offense, however, as they won 3-2.

The victory improves Marietta's record to 3-1-1 on the season. Bethany falls to 3-3.

Freshman midfielder Ian Jones (Warren/Howland) set up junior forward Bradley Baweja (Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood) for the Pioneers' first goal of the game in the 22nd minute. Baweja took a cross from the corner and delivered the goal, his third of the year.

The Bison responded less than a minute later. Ari Dewhurst took advantage of an rare opportunity, when Pioneer goalkeeper Kasey Gray (Marietta) could not secure a ball inside the box following a corner. Dewhurst fired the loose ball into the net for his second goal of the year and to tie the game 1-1.

Marietta broke the tie for good just before the half. Sophomore forward Kyle Muth (Twinsburg), the team's leading scorer, crossed a ball into the center of that field, and senior forward Sergio Fajardo Jr. (Seuil de Fora, MG, Brazil) was able to volley it between the pipes. The goal, which came in the 43rd minute, was Fajardo's first and increased Muth's point total to a team-best nine.

The Pioneers added what turned out to be the game-winner in the 62nd minute. Sophomore Delè Adedapo (Gahanna/Bexley), who took the free kick, scored on a set play from 23 yards out. It was his first goal of the year.

Bethany added a late goal, when Dewhurst stole a ball in the 88th minute and poked it by Gray. That, however, completed the scoring, and Marietta won 3-2.

Gray, who collected three saves, improved to 3-1. Chad Perry made one stop for the Bison.

Marietta remains on the road this weekend to compete at the Penn State-Altoona Challenge Cup Tournament. The Pioneers will take on Albright (Pa.) Saturday (Sept. 15) afternoon at 12 p.m. Marietta will then play Sunday (Sept. 16) against either PSU-Altoona or Thiel (Pa.), depending on the outcome versus Albright.

Schedule Note: Marietta's Ohio Athletic Conference opener against Otterbein, which will take place on Sept. 29 at 3 p.m., has been moved from Westerville to Marietta because of unplayable field conditions. It will be part of men and women's doubleheader. The women's game will be first at 12 p.m.