SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Marietta College women's lacrosse team had a six-goal final period to give them a 12-8 comeback victory over Wittenberg University Wednesday (March 5) evening. The Pioneers are now 3-2 on the season and the Tigers fall to 1-3 overall.

"Today was an all out effort from every single person on this team," Marietta head coach Lindsay Reho said. "We found ourselves in a hole and were able to get the job done in the second half. I could not be more happy with the resilience and fight of this group. We are looking forward to riding this wave as we gear up for Spring Break!"

Wittenberg hit the scoreboard first as Alyssa Burnside fired a shot within the first three minutes to give the Tigers the quick lead.  Marietta responded on the next possession as Hope Adams (Delaware, Ohio/Bishop Watterson), after getting fouled, scored on a free position shot to tie it at one.  It would take another five minutes of action before Marietta would strike again.  Mallory Wiles (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) converted on a free position shot to give the Pioneers the lead.  The Tigers came back with a pair of goals, one from Aubrey Stager and another tally from Burnside, to retake the lead.  Marietta caused another lead change as Fiona Betzhold and Molly Dickens (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) both scored to put the Pioneers back on top.  Anita Meek tied the game with a free position goal and both teams were tied at four going into the second period.
 
Marietta was kept quiet throughout the second period as they only attempted two shots in the first three minutes, and did not attempt another shot until nearly the end of the half.  The Tigers were able to generate some offense as Hannah Peterson scored at the 12:35 mark and Jarya Hassell scored six minutes later.  The Pioneers finally had a couple of opportunities to score in the final three minutes of the half but Dickens sent a free position shot wide and Hope Adams (Delaware, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) sent a another shot wide to continue the scoreless drought.  Meek tacked on another goal for the Tigers in the final minute and Wittenberg took a 7-4 lead going into halftime.

Marietta came out with more energy in the third period and played very aggressively.  Adams scored an unassisted goal at the 11:32 mark and Wiles followed a minute later with a score, with an assist from Renee Mulvaney (Midland, Mich./Midland), to cut the Tiger lead to one.  Both teams battled through the remainder of the period scoreless until Meek broke through for Wittenberg with less than two minutes left.  The Tiger went into the fourth period with an 8-6 advantage.
 
Marietta struck quickly in the fourth period as Adams knifed through the eight-meter arc and found the back of the net, cutting the lead to one.  Wiles then set up for a free-position shot at the 11:01 mark and scored to lock the game back up at eight.  The rally continued two minutes later as, after an Abby May (Randolph, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) save on the other side of the field, the Pioneers marched quickly down the field.  Mulvaney fed Betzhold with a great pass, and the freshman delivered the go-ahead score.  Wiles than tacked on a pair of insurance goals to put the Pioneers in firm control and Sophi Merickel (Phoenix, Ariz./Cactus Shadows) completed the period with a final score. The Pioneers would go on to claim the 12-8 victory.

Abby May (Randolph, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) played all 60 minutes in the net and faced 20 shots on goal, making 12 saves.
 
Wiles led with five goals and Adams finished with three goals, three draw controls, and five groundballs.  Dickens and Alyana Francis led the team with five draw controls apiece.  Merickel scored one goal and led with two caused turnovers.
 
Marietta returns home this Saturday (Mar. 8) as they host Mount Aloysius College with the game scheduled to begin at 1 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 X and Instagram.