Bond's Late-Game Free Kick Delivers Win

WILMINGTON, Ohio – After 44 minutes and 59 seconds of play in a scoreless second half, Wittenberg and Marietta looked certain to head to overtime at the Wilmington College Kiwanis Soccer Classic on Friday night.

But as time ran down  in the second period, Marietta committed a foul just outside the 18-yard box, affording the Tigers a direct free kick that senior Kevin Bond (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley) buried with just 0.8 seconds left on the clock.

The dramatic finish lifted Wittenberg to 2-2 on the season, preceding a 7:30 p.m. matchup with the host Quakers on Saturday to finish up the Classic.

The goal brings Bond's team-leading season total to four, while registering as his first game-winner of the year.

Marietta jumped out to an early lead with a 14th-minute goal. Two corner kicks and four shots later, freshman Andre Lorenz (Apple Creek, Ohio/Waynedale) headed one past the Pioneer keeper to even things up in the 38th minute off an assist from senior Zach White (Lima, Ohio/Temple Christian).

The 1-1 score held all the way into the final second of the match.

For the contest, Bond led all Tigers with five shots, putting four on goal. Lorenz followed with four shots and junior Mitch Rudibaugh (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) shot twice, forcing one save.

Checking in with one shot apiece were junior Reed Glosser (Toledo, Ohio/Ottawa Hills), freshman Josh Marks (Hertfordshire, England/Watford Grammar School for Boys) and freshman Patrick Szymczak (Westerville, Ohio/South).

In goal, junior James Van Artsdalen (Riverwoods, Ill./Deerfield) stopped six shots and allowed just one goal. The defensive unit in front of him limited Marietta to seven shots against Wittenberg's 14.

John Strawn '07