Marietta women fall to Walsh 2-1 in opening round of Soccer Classic
Lady Pioneers will play in consolation game Sunday at 9 a.m.

Sept. 6, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College women’s soccer team opened the 2008 Marietta College Classic with a 2-1 loss to Walsh University Saturday (Sept. 6) morning at Marietta Field. The loss drops Marietta’s record to 0-2 while Walsh improves to 1-2 on the young season. Marietta will play in the consolation match Sunday morning at 9 a.m., while Walsh advances to Sunday’s final at 1 p.m.

Walsh’s Amanda Patrick opened up the scoring in the first five minutes as she found the net after Megan Jurek placed a free kick inside the six-yard box. The Cavaliers scored again at the 36:48 mark of the first half. Leya Spence headed home a corner taken by Jess Wilson to give Walsh a 2-0 advantage.

Jessica Martinez (Strongsville/Magnificat) cut the Walsh lead in half with her second goal of 2008 and her 23rd career goal. The senior forward took matters into her own hands as she took on three Walsh defenders, dribbling from half field and finishing from the right corner of the 18-yard box.

The second half yielded chances for both sides but neither team could capitalize on its oppurtunities. The Cavaliers outshot the Pioneers 17-8 and 10-6 with shots on goal. Jillian Zanney made five saves for Walsh in goal, while freshman goalkeeper Sydney Collins (Cincinnati/Country Day) made eight saves on the day.

Marietta will take on Westminster (Pa.) in Sunday (Sept. 7) morning's consolation game at 9 a.m. SUNY-Brockport (N.Y.) will take on Walsh in the championship game at 1 p.m. The Eagles and Titans tied 2-2 on Saturday but Brockport won the shootout to advance.