Written by: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
The Pioneers have taken the field as the 2025 soccer season has kicked off. Both teams faced off against strong non-conference opponents, and they both have started out with the same record as the previous season. Currently, the women’s team is 0-1-1 while the men’s team has started 1-1.
The men’s soccer team kicked things off first on Friday on the road vs Chatham University. Chatham had won their previous match last season 1-0, but Marietta held the historical advantage defeating in 2021 and 2023. Marietta played strong in the first half dominating time of possession. However, Chatham made their time matter taking a 1-0 lead at halftime. The Pioneers had many opportunities to come back, however were not able to convert their chances to goals. The Cougars were and defeated the Pios 3-0.
In the following game on Sunday, the Pioneers were able to convert their offensive attacks and defeated Bluffton University 4-3. The game was dominated by two players, the Beavers’ Alex Brown and the Pioneers’ Parker Bolin. Brown helped the Beavers to a 2-0 lead early, but Bolin added a successful penalty kick making the halftime score 2-1. Bolin scored twice more of out the half and added a fourth to tie the school’s record for goals in a match.
On the other hand, women’s soccer held the Marietta Soccer Classic over the weekend hosting three schools. Marietta played Wittenberg University and Bridgewater College.
The first game versus Wittenberg was the first series versus one another in thirty years. Here, in her first game as a Pioneer, goalkeeper Franscesca Agliolo saved all six shots that came her way. However, Wittenbergs netminder was perfect as well saving 4/4. The game concluded in a scoreless draw.
The following day Marietta faced the Bridgewater Eagles. The first half was slow was Marietta only connecting one shot on goal. The Eagles sent one over Agliolo in the seventh minute to make the score 1-0. Bridgewater nearly scored again however their goal was overturned due to an offsides call.
The second half was much of the same with Bridgewater scoring once more while shutting out Marietta. The Pioneers were outmatched defensively on the field as the only managed one shot on goal. This 2-0 loss put the Pioneers at a 0-1-1 start. The same start as the 2024 season.
While Marietta did not play the Tartans, Carnegie Mellon did face the same schools as Marietta. CMU lost 1-0 to Bridgewater but were able to defeat Wittenberg 3-0 to start out 1-1.
Women’s soccer travels to Pennsylvania on September 2nd to face Washington & Jefferson. The Men’s team follows the same day facing Washington & Jefferson in Washington on September 3rd. Both teams will be back home on September 10th. The men’s club host Mount. St Joseph at 5:00 p.m. while the women host Bethany College afterwards at 7:30 p.m.
To keep up with Marietta College soccer visit pioneers.marietta.edu or follow them on Instagram at instagram.com/mc_wsoccer and instagram.com/marietta_menssoccer.
