ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – The Marietta College women's lacrosse team secured its first win in program history with an 11-7 victory over North Carolina Wesleyan on Wednesday (March 13).  With the win the Pioneers improve to 1-5 overall and the Battling Bishops fall to 0-6 on the season.  

Head Coach Malory Brunett said, "I am extremely proud of our first victory as a program. Our win was a complete team effort. We had several players step up on attack and defense as well as a combined goalie effort."

Marietta opened the scoring less than a minute into the game when Shelby Millheim (Bethlehem, Pa. /Freedom) scored an unassisted goal to put the Pioneers up 1-0.  Two and a half minutes later Natalie Ackerman (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillian) found the back of the net and provided Marietta a 2-0 advantage at the 26:30 mark of the opening half.  

After back to back goals from North Carolina Wesleyan tied the game, Faith Campbell (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills Senior ) scored a free position goal to put the Pioneers back on top 3-2.  The Battling Bishops responded with a pair of goals and took a 4-3 edge, with just under 13 minutes remaining in the first half.  

Three minutes later Marietta tied the game at four goals apiece when Sarah Stutler (Park Hills, Ky./Notre Dame Acdemy) scored an unassisted man up goal.  The final nine minutes of the half were scoreless and the teams entered the intermission tied at 4-4.  

Sam Mooney (New Cumberland, Pa. /Red Land) was solid in goal for the Pioneers in the first half, as she made two big saves and caused a turnover late in the first half.  She made five saves total in the game.  

North Carolina Wesleyan came out of the locker room ready to play, and scored a pair of early goals to take a 6-4 edge just over a minute into the second half.  

Marietta quickly answered back with five goals of their own.  The first goal was scored by Rachel Sivie (Washington, Pa./Trinity) on a free position shot and the second was scored by Ackerman also on a free position shot.  The third goal was scored by Millheim and put the Pioneers back on top, 7-6.  Sivie's second and third goals of the day continued the run and put Marietta up 9-6 with just under 18 minutes to play in the game.  

The Pioneers momentum continued as they stretched their lead to 10-6 when Carlee Kernodle (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park) scored an unassisted goal.  Less than a minute later, Stutler scored her second goal of the game, to give Marietta an 11-6 edge with just over 15 minutes to play in game.  

The Battling Bishops cut into the Pioneers lead with a goal, but the Marietta held defense held North Carolina Wesleyan scoreless for the final 13 minutes to earn the first win in program history.  The defense was anchored by Taylor Carr (Charleston, W.Va./St. Albans), Delaney Djuric (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington), Lindsay Horton (Birmingham, Ala. /John Carroll Catholic), Emma Purington (Columbus, Ohio/Hamilton Township), and Lauren Redfern (Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook).   

Maddie Leers (Crystal Lake, Ill. /Barrington) played in the goal in the second half for the Pioneers, she faced nine shots, four of which were on goal and made a pair of saves.

"Lauren Redfern (Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook) played tremendous defense on one of their leading scorers. This really helped us limit their opportunities on attack. Both goalies also each had a terrific half," concluded Coach Brunett.   

Marietta was led by Sivie as she had three goals, and a caused turnover in the game.  Millheim had a game high six draw controls for the Pioneers, and also notched a pair of goals.  Stutler and Ackerman pitched in on the attack as each had a two goals in the game.                

Marietta will return to action Wednesday (March 20) when they travel to take on Washington and Jefferson College with the game scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.