MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College opened the 2025 season and the inaugural Marietta Soccer Classic battling to a scoreless tie with Wittenberg University (Aug. 29) evening.  Both the Pioneers and the Tigers open the season at 0-0-1.
 
"Really proud of our group," said Marietta Head Coach Zack Votra.  "Battled toe to toe with a top team in the north coast. That's the level of performance we need to put in night in and night out."

Scoring opportunities were tough to come by in the first half as both teams only managed five shots apiece.  Delilah Vazquez (Pasadena, Calif./Marshall Fundamental) sent a pair of first half shot that were stopped by Wittenberg goalkeeper Lily Winkle.  Francesca Agliolo (San Gabriel, Calif./Mayfield Senior), in her Pioneer debut, made one save in the first 45 minutes and both teams went to the half scoreless.
 
Agliolo made some impressive point blank saves in the second half, including one in the 72nd minute by Caroline Stupp and in the 86th minute off of the foot of Delaney Burdine, keeping the Tigers off the board.  Katie Heighberger (LaGrange, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy) gave the Pioneers a scoring opportunity three minutes into the second half.  The freshman sent a line drive to the upper right side of the goal, but Winkle was able to get a hand on the shot, pushing it over the crossbar and keeping the game scoreless.

Agliolo went the distance in goal for the Pioneers and recorded six saves while Winkle notched two saves for the Tiger and recorded her third shutout of the fall campaign.

In the second game of the evening, Bridgewater College defeated Carnegie Mellon University, 1-0.  The Eagles got the only goal they needed in the 7^th minute as Katherine King slipped a shot past the Tartan goalkeeper to seal the victory.

Carnegie Mellon will battle Wittenberg in game one on Saturday (Aug. 30), with a scheduled start time of 3:30 p.m.  Marietta will host Bridgewater in the finale on Saturday at 6:00 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.