MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's lacrosse team fell 19-7 to Capital University, in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday (April 26) afternoon.

"We gave everything we had today and I could not be more proud of this team," said Head Coach Lindsay Reho.  "This season hasn't been without challenges, but this group found a way and earned the right to play another game, and we did not take that opportunity for granted."

The Pioneers held strong for the first few minutes of the contest, matching the Comets shot for shot. Pioneer goalkeeper Abby May (Randolph, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) stopped the first three shots from Grace Osborn, but at the 10:34 mark, the Capital All-American notched the first score of the contest. Osborn scored one minute later to put the Comets up two goals. Later, after a Capital foul, Mallory Wiles (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) converted a free position shot for a score to cut the lead in half. After Capital scored again, the Pioneer inched closer as Renee Mulvaney (Midland, Mich./Midland) scored from the 8-meter arc. The Comets closed out the period with a pair of goals and took a 5-2 lead going into the second quarter. 

Capital started hot in the second as they scored three times, two goals from Osborn, in the first four minutes. Mulvaney got the Pioneers back on the board with another free position goal, but Osborn answered with one of her own a minute later. Molly Dickens (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) tried to keep the Pioneers close as she scored with less than seven minutes remaining, but Osborn put up another pair of scores and Capital led 12-4 going into the intermission. 

The Pioneers held strong in the first four minutes of the third as they kept the Comets scoreless, but, in turn, could not cut into the lead. The Comets broke the silence with a score from Leah Leno at the 11-minute mark and Osborn followed with a score to extend the Capital lead to 10 goals. After getting fouled, Hope Adams (Delaware, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) scored a free position shot to slow the Comet momentum, but  Capital quickly answered and took a 15-5 lead into the final quarter. 

The Pioneers struck first in the fourth as Sophi Merickel (Phoenix, Ariz./Cactus Shadows) punched in a shot to briefly turn off the continuous clock, but Capital's Ava Vandetti quickly answered to put the margin back at ten. Adams continued to fight, though, and notched a score from an assist from Mulvaney at the 9:44 mark.  Capital closed out the period with scores from Osborn and Andi Henry and claimed the 19-7 playoff victory. 
 
May played all 60 minutes in goal for the Pioneers.  She faced 37 shots, 28 of which were on goal, and made nine saves.  She also led the team with five groundballs.

Marietta was led by Adams and Mulvaney with two goals apiece, with Mulvaney also leading with two assists.  Dickens added a score and led the team with three draw controls and two caused turnovers.   

"This team is built on grit, resilience, and heart, and that was present at every game and practice this season," concluded Coach Reho.  "This group of seniors have been a shining example of what it means to be a member of the Marietta Women's Lacrosse and have laid the ground work for this program for years to come. I am so grateful to have been a part of Abby, Hope, Dom, and Amira's lacrosse journey and cannot wait to see what they accomplish in the years to come."

Marietta finished the season with a record of 5-12 overall.  

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.