MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's lacrosse team opened the 2025 season with a 12-10 loss to Grove City College on Wednesday (Feb. 19) evening on the frozen blue turf of Marietta Field. The Pioneers are now 0-1 on the season and the Wolverines are 1-0 overall.  
 
"I'm very proud of the effort out on the field today," said new Marietta head coach Lindsay Reho. "We played tough against a really great team and came up just short. If we cleaned up between the 30s, the game may swing in our direction. I know this group is going to bounce back and come out swinging this Saturday!"
 
Both teams were affected by the cold temperatures as the respective offenses took a while to warm up.  The Pioneers did not attempt a single shot in the first period, but Grove City was able to attempt six shots.  One of those shot found its way in the net at the 4:37 mark as Anna Korzeniewski scored and Grove City led 1-0  after one period of play.

Marietta got off to a quick start in the second period with a trio of scores.  Hope Adams (Delaware, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) scored a free position goal in the opening minute, Mallory Wiles (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) followed with a fast break goal on the next possession, and freshman Molly Dickens (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) scored her first career goal four minutes later to give Marietta a 3-0 lead.  The Wolverines answered with five goals in five minutes to retake a two-goal advantage.  Dickens scored again with three minutes left and Maggie Downard (Canal Fulton, Ohio/Jackson) provided a score in the final seconds and Marietta trailed 6-5 going into the intermission.

The third quarter began with both teams battling back and forth with no goals scored.  Grove City finally broke the drought with a score at the 8:35 mark.  Dickens and Adams answered with a goal apiece, tying the game at 7-all.  After the Wolverines broke the tie, Adams again answered with a goal and the score was deadlocked at 8-8 with 4:42 remaining in the period.  Grove City closed out the period with another pair of scores and led 10-8 going into the final period.

Marietta cut the lead to one in the final period as Downard scored four minutes in, but Grove City hunkered down and kept the one-goal advantage.  They then put more pressure on the Pioneers, scoring two goals in a minute span, to extend the lead to three with time running out.  Adams tacked on one more goal put Marietta could not over come the difference. Grove City would go on to collect the 12-10 victory.

Abby May (Randolph, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) played all 60 minutes in goal and faced 23 total shots, 17 of which were on goal, and made five saves.  
 
The Pioneers were led by Adams with four goals, two assists, and five draw controls.  Dickens scored three goals in her Pioneer debut. Defensively, Sophi Merickel (Phoenix, Ariz./Cactus Shadows) led with four groundballs and two caused turnovers.
 
Marietta will return to the field Saturday (Feb. 22) when they travel to Westminster College, with the game scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. 
 
Fans can follow all of 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 X and Instagram.