Marietta’s Todd Morris reached a huge milestone with Tuesday night’s 4-3 victory, marking his 200th win as the coach of the Tigers boys soccer team. Despite a tense game and trailing 3-2 with less than 24 minutes remaining, Morris remained composed at Jerry Brock Field, reflecting the dedication that has defined his 17 seasons with Marietta.
“Reaching 200 wins as a head coach is quite a milestone,” Morris noted. “Having great players, assistant coaches, and supportive families over the years has made this achievement possible. To do it against Athens, a team we’ve faced for years, adds to the relevance. This match tested our resilience, and the team showed tremendous character.”
A pivotal moment came when Landon Koscho’s throw-in deflected off the Athens keeper’s glove and into the net, tying the game. Koscho, who scored twice and assisted on Cameron Davis’ game-winning goal, played a crucial role. “It wasn’t an easy win, but we pulled through,” Koscho remarked.
Freshman goalkeeper Finn Tindall, who had only one save to make, delivered a crucial stop against a long-range shot from Matty Pigman. Morris praised Tindall’s performance, noting that despite some growing pains, the freshman has stepped up effectively in a challenging role.
With only 12 seconds left, Athens attempted a final throw-in, but Marietta’s defense managed to clear the ball, securing the win. The Tigers now stand at 2-0-0, while Athens dropped to 1-1-0.
Morris acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly dealing with teams that play aggressively. Despite Athens forward Emmanuel Mends’ hat trick and impressive performance, Marietta managed to secure the win with timely goals from Koscho and Davis. Koscho’s second goal and Davis’ decisive strike exemplified their ability to capitalize on opportunities.
Marietta will host Fairfield Union this Saturday, with a special tribute planned for Scotty Pabst, a 2002 grad and key player from the 2001 district final team. Morris expressed the team’s intention to honor Pabst’s memory and contributions to the program.