MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College women's lacrosse team posted a decisive 18-8 win over Bethany College Saturday (March 4) afternoon. The Pioneers improve to 3-1 on the season, while the Bison register their defeat and fall to 3-1 overall.

"Today our focus was responding after our WJ loss," Marietta head coach Malory Nadrah said.  "I couldn't have asked them to respond better. Great team win today. Defense played fantastic; they had amazing transitions. Awesome to see the attack scoring so spread. We are very happy to see eight assists to make our scoring more dynamic for the season ahead."

Hope Adams (Delaware, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) quickly got involved as she peppered in three goals in the first eight minutes of the game, two from free position shots and one from a great pass from Megan McGriff (Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek), and the Pioneers took early control of the match.  Kyla Andreas (Shirley, N.Y./Longwood) scored from another McGriff assist at the 6:28 mark to extend the lead to four.  Bethany's Alexa Taylor found the net with less than three minutes left in the period and the Pioneers would lead 4-1 going into the second quarter.  

The Pioneers scored just 30 seconds into the second period as Mallory Wiles (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) found the back of the net, but the Bison answered by scoring twice in the span of 30 seconds.  Cierra Taylor scored a fast break goal and, off of the ensuing draw, Karley Trinidad cut the lead to two at the 9:54 mark.  Marietta would close out the half with a four-goal run to go into the half leading 9-3.  Casey Roeder (Milford, Ohio/Milford), Lindy Brobeck (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington), and Kayla Godwin (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) provided the offensive spark in the MC run.

Bethany struck first in the third period with another goal from Trinidad, but Marietta answered with another flurry of scores.  Emily Etheridge (Harrisville, R.I./Burrillville) scored at the 9:19 mark.  McGriff, who had help facilitate some scores in the first half, snuck two shots by Bison goalkeeper Leah Crihfield.  Bethany tried to rally back into the contest as they were able to score twice in a 45 second span, but Marietta's Maggie Downard (Canal Fulton, Ohio/Jackson) answered with less than two minutes left in the period and Marietta took a 14-7 lead into the final period.
 
Bethany once again struck first in the fourth period with a quick goal by Cassidy Mailloux but that was the last time they would score on the afternoon.  Marietta would throw on four additional goals and would cruise to victory, 18-8.
 
Adams and Wiles led the way for the Pioneers with four goals apiece.  McGriff scored three times and assisted on five other goals.  Brobeck finished with two goals.  Alayna Francis (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) put together a fabulous game with seven draw controls, two caused turnovers, and assisted on one goal.  Adams led with seven groundballs and also had four draw controls 

Abby May (Randolph, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) played all 60 minutes in goal for the Pioneers. May faced 23 shots, 21 of which were on goal and made 13 saves.

Marietta is back in action on Friday (March 10) with a 1 p.m. match at Methodist University.

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.