MARIETTA, Ohio -- Washington & Jefferson College freshman goalkeeper Noah Bracco (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) finished with 21 saves Wednesday evening to lead the Red and Black in a 14-11 road setback to host Marietta College in a non-conference match at Don Drumm Stadium. 

The strong effort in goal helped the Presidents remain within striking distance throughout the night despite disparities in shots (46-28) and shots on goal (35-19). Marietta also boasted a 19-10 advantage in face-offs in the contest. 

W&J raced out to an early lead by scoring four of the first five goals in the contest. Aiden Herman (West End, N.C. / Pinecrest) and Paul Shook (Camp Hill, Pa. / Trinity) accounted for the first four W&J goals, tallying a pair apiece. The Pioneers scored the final two goals of the opening quarter to trim their deficit to 4-3 after 15 minutes. 

The Presidents used a man-up goal by Zach Mey (Bridgeville, Pa. / South Fayette) and an even strength goal by Parker Lucas (Delmar, Del. / Delmar) to hold a pair of multi-goal leads in the second quarter. However, the Pioneers tallied the final two goals of the quarter to pull even at halftime. 

The teams exchanged scores in the third quarter. An unassisted goal by Carter Watts (Gilbertsville, Pa. / Boyertown) brought W&J within a goal late in the third. However, the Pioneers pushed the lead back to two (10-8) on a score with just four seconds remaining in the frame. 

Marietta registered back-to-back goals to start the fourth to give themselves some breathing room at 12-8. Watts scored two of the three W&J goals in the fourth as the Red and Black fell 14-11. 

Watts led the offense with three goals. Lucas, Shook and Herman finished two goals and one assist apiece. Bracco added a team-high seven ground balls to go along with his strong effort between the pipes in his first collegiate start. Herman and Ronin Keane (Medford, Mass. / Arlington Catholic) recorded five ground balls each. 

W&J (1-2 overall) travels back into the state of Ohio on Saturday, March 4 for another non-conference match. The Presidents face Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio at 1 p.m.