Box Score | 16-Match Season Stats
TIFFIN, Ohio—Senior midfielder Jeff Gordon (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview) scored his first career goal and the game-winner today to lead the Heidelberg University men’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Marietta College in an Ohio Athletic Conference match at Mayer Field in Tiffin, Ohio. The win snapped a five-match skid for the Berg and was the first conference victory of the 2011 season.
The Student Princes improve to 3-9-4 overall and 1-5-1 in the OAC and earned their first victory since Sept. 16. The Pioneers fall to 2-11-2 overall and 1-4-2 in the OAC.
A scoreless first half saw the Berg outshoot Marietta, 6-4, including three shots from senior first-team All-OAC forward Mike Harling (Manchester, England/Holy Cross).
In the 74th minute, senior midfielder Michael Juart (Hilliard/Darby) pushed a set piece from 45 yards out into the box to set up Gordon’s header, giving the Berg its first goal against an OAC opponent this season and its first score since Sept. 28 against Denison. The assists was Juart’s first of the season.
Junior two-time All-OAC goalkeeper Ryan Smith (Roanoke, Texas/Keller) recorded his third shutout of the season, making eight saves and improving to 3-8-4.
Bobby Thaxton made three saves in 90 minutes for Marietta.
Both teams tallied 11 shots, but the Berg held an 8-3 advantage in cornerkicks.
Heidelberg returns to the pitch Tuesday, Oct. 25 for a 4 p.m. OAC match with No. 15 Ohio Northern University (13-2-2, 5-0-1 OAC) at the ONU Soccer Field in Ada, Ohio.