Written by: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
The Marietta College Men’s Lacrosse team have started with a 2-0 start for the second time in program history. The other came in their very first season in 2019. However, this season, they have outscored their opponents 45-7. Which is the highest point differential in program history.
The season began for the Pios on February 15th when they traveled to Greenville, Pennsylvania to challenge Thiel College. Marietta had lost to Thiel in 2019 but had won at home in 2020.
This time around the Pioneers set a new scoring record, breaking their former record of 25 goals set in 2020 by scoring 28 goals. 18 goals came in the first half with an extra ten scored in the second, and thirteen different players got a goal on the day. Leading goal scorer was Freshmen Joshua Nyland who scored four on the day. The freshmen class had a strong offensive performance as five freshmen scored for a total of 12 points.
Last season’s starting goalkeeper Ben Millard did not start the game as James Cipollone started the first half of the game and blocked the one shot, he saw on the day. Freshmen Cal Henthorne came in during the second half and allowed four goals.
For Marietta’s second game they hosted Washington & Jefferson College whom they were on a three-game winning streak. Cipollone received the start and made two saves and allowed zero goals. Millard returned in net during the second half and made six saves and allowed three goals.
Offensively, Marietta came out to a hot start again as they outshot the Presidents 21-1 and scored 13 in the first half. Veteran Chase Franklin led the team in points with four goals and two assists, however Freshmen Aiden Evans had a second consecutive strong showing scoring four goals and one assist. Grad Student Nate Neal led the team with five groundballs and had five points as well.
Marietta returns to action this Wednesday at home against Chatham University (1-1). The Pioneers are 0-5 against the Cougars however, Marietta has been playing better than ever before. Faceoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Marietta Field.
