Pioneer men fall to Lions 3-1 in Challenge Cup finals
Penn State-Altoona wins its tournament for third straight year

Sept. 16, 2007
ALTOONA, Pa. — A pair of second half goals from Tournament MVP Bryan Pierzga broke open a 1-1 tie and allowed Penn State-Altoona (Pa.) to claim a 3-1 victory over the Marietta College men's soccer team in the championship game of the Challenge Cup Sunday (Sept. 16) afternoon.

The loss was just Marietta's second in seven games and brings its record to 4-2-1. Penn State-Altoona improved to 6-1 after capturing its third straight Challenge Cup crown.

Dan Saxton headed a ball past Pioneer junior goalkeeper Kasey Gray (Marietta) following a corner kick to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage in the third minute.

Sophomore Dan Cawley (Marietta) tied the game 1-1 in the 28th minute when he headed a ball between the pipes. Sophomore Alan Porter (Marietta) set up the goal with a long cross to the center of the box.

The match remained locked at 1-1 until the 55th minute when Pierzga delivered the go-ahead goal from middle of the box. He struck again in the 89th minute to secure Penn State-Altoona the 3-1 win.

The Pioneers out shot the Lions 18-9 and 7-3 in shots on goal. Marc Zajac had six saves in the win, while Gray did not make a save in the loss.

Cawley, as well as senior Joel Nau (Marietta), junior Rob Vazquez (Euclid) and sophomore Delè Adedapo (Gahanna/Bexley) were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Marietta is back in action Tuesday (Sept. 25), its final Ohio Athletic Conference tune up. Game time against host Walsh is slated for 6 p.m.