Marietta women's soccer opens season with 2-1 loss to Bethany
Martinez scores 22nd career goal off free kick to account for Pioneers' lone goal

Aug. 30, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College women’s soccer team opened the season Saturday (Aug. 30) afternoon with a 2-1 loss to visiting Bethnay (W.Va.) College at Marietta Field.

The Bison took a 1-0 lead with a goal in the sixth minute. Breane Minardi found the back of the net from inside the six to give her team the early advantage.

Marietta tied the score in the 23rd minute when senior forward Jessica Martinez (Strongsville/Magnificat) drew a foul just outside the top of the box. Martinez took advantage of the free kick by beating the keeper just inside the top right corner of the posts. The goal was the 22nd of her career.

Bethany, however, regained the lead for good in the 42nd minute when Kortni Collins lofted a shot from 40-yards out. The ball drifted over the head of Marietta freshman keeper Sidney Collins (Cincinnati/Country Day) and into the back of the net to give the Bison a 2-1 win.

Collins finished with seven saves in the loss, while Julie Brady had five saves in the win.

Marietta is back in action on Saturday (Sept. 6) morning when it opens the 2008 Marietta Soccer Classic with a 11 a.m. game against Walsh University.