COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University men's soccer team returned to action on Wednesday, hosting the Pioneers of Marietta College at Bernlohr Stadium. It was a match that meant a lot in the season standings as the teams came in sixth and seventh in the conference. After it was all said and done the Comets would leapfrog the Pioneers with a 2-1 win and now sit at sixth in the conference standings. 

Capital moves to 3-8-2 on the year with a 2-3-1 OAC record. 

Marietta drops to 4-8-3 on the year with a 2-4-0 conference mark.


HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a tight game throughout with many bang-bang plays and brutal physicality at times. Things got started early as the first goal was scored just 7 minutes in. That goal was in favor of the visitors as Marietta gained the 1-0 advantage via a header from Ben Teasdale off of a ball sent into the box by Gavin Chappel, the secondary assist going to Jacob Roberto for the pass to Chappel.

However, the Pioneers were not in the lead for long as the Comets snatched a goal back on the ensuing kickoff. Within only 16 seconds, Jacob Deever played a ball up to Jack Kossoudji which he chipped around the keeper and into the back of the net to bring the score back level. It was a brand new ballgame and that is how it would stay for the remaining 38 minutes of the half, tied at 1-1.

Capital took no time to get to work in the second half, scoring another quickfire goal just 2:30 into the new period. The goal once again came from the foot of Kossoudji, except this time it took a different route to get there. The play started with a shot from Jack Francisco which was saved by the Marietta keeper. However, the ball dribbled away from the keeper and was quickly gobbled up by Kossoudji who fired it into the back of the net on the rebound and the Comets found themselves in the lead for the first time, 2-1.

The rest of the game was a battle for possession as the Comets fought to stay in front and pull even further ahead, while the Pioneers tried desperately to equalize. In the end, it was the defense of the Purple and White that won out and Capital would walk away with a 2-1 victory.


THE NUMBERS
Capital was barely outperformed 18-19 in terms of shots taken. However the Comets made the most of the shots they took as they led in shots on goal 11-8.

Jack Koussoudji scored the two Capital goals on the day and jumped into the team lead with six on the season. He took four shots in total with three on the mark.

Jack Francisco and Rhyan Caruso tied at second in shooting, taking three each. Francisco found his target twice and Caruso once.

Brennan Hesse got the start on the back line and took two shots. He was joined at that mark by Zade Awad who went 2-for-2 in terms of shots on goal.

Devon Hess, Jarrett Puckett, Jacob Deever, and Veron Fongeh made up the rest of the Capital attempts, all having one go. Deever had the lone Capital assist of the night.

Connor Sexton started and played the full 90 in goal for the Purple and White. He made seven saves.


THE OPPONENT
Ben Teasdale scored the lone goal for Marietta, assisted by Gavin Chappel and Jacob Roberto.

Joey Backhaus and Luke Price split time in the Pioneer goal, with Backhaus getting the start and making two saves. Price ended the night with seven saves.


UP NEXT
The Comets return to the field on Saturday, October 22 to face John Carroll. That game will kickoff from Bernlohr Stadium at 1:00 p.m.