MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College women's soccer team opened its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) slate with a 1-0 loss to visiting Heidelberg University Friday (Oct. 2) afternoon at Marietta Field.

The Pioneers (3-5-1, 0-1 OAC) were out shot 16-12 overall. The Student Princes (4-6-1, 1-0 OAC), coached by Marietta College alumnus and former Pioneer assistant coach Nick Spell '03, also finished with a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal.

The score was locked at 0-0 until the 61st minute. Marietta had the ball deep in Heidelberg territory and fired a shot off the cross bar. The Student Princes then caught the Pioneers' defense off balance in transition. Emily Riggs found teammate Carolyn Gross open with a thru ball into the box. Gross took one touch and fired a shot inside the opposite post for the goal, her third of the season.

Gross' goal proved to be the game-winner, as Marietta was unable to convert its remaining chances down the stretch.

Marietta sophomore defender Jennifer Wilder (Ashland, Ashland) made 8 saves, while a pair of Heidelberg goalkeeper, Lauren Sweeney and Molly Schriber, combined for 4 saves and the shutout.

The Pioneers are back in action on Wednesday (Oct. 7) afternoon when they play host to Otterbein College at 4 p.m.