MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Marietta College women's soccer team gave up a costly goal with less than three minute remaining in the match and walked away with a 1-1 tie Allegheny College on Saturday (Sept. 7) evening.  The Pioneers are now 1-1-2 overall and the Gators improve to 0-2-2 overall.  

Marietta began the matchup sending several shots towards Gator goalkeeper Alex Augustine.  Shelby Carr (Pataskala, Ohio/Liberty Christian Academy) attempted four shots by herself in a seven-minute span, but could not find the target.  Katie Heighberger (LaGrange, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy) and Delilah Vazquez (Pasadena, Calif./Marshall Fundamental) tested Augustine several times, but no goals were scored.  Conversely, Pioneer goalkeeper Francesca Agliolo (San Gabriel, Calif./Mayfield Senior) successfully saved both Allegheny shots on goal in the period and both teams went into the intermission with the scoreless tie.

Marietta kept knocking at the door as the second half began.  Vazquez challenged Augustine with a shot in the 47th minute and Heighberger just missed wide left two minutes later.  Finally, the Pioneers hit pay dirt in the 51st minute as Heighberger took a pass from Vazquez and sent a shot from the top of the box, sailing over the goalkeeper and into the net for the first score of the game.  
 
Allegheny began to pick up the tempo for the next several minutes, but failed to get the goal back as Agliolo made good on her next four save opportunities.  In the closing moments, a strange sequence took place as Delaney Davis of the Gators sent a pass from midfield towards the penalty box.  Agliolo took a chance and came out to the clear the ball, but Casey Bender closed in quickly deflected the kick.  Unfortunately for the Pioneers, that deflection somehow found its way into the goal, tying the score at 1-all with not much time remaining.  
 
The Pioneers had one remaining chance to regain the lead as Vazquez was fouled about 10 yards outside of the box with less than a minute remining.  The ensuing free kick landed safely in the hands of Augustine and, as the final seconds elapsed, the contest finished in a 1-1 tie.
 
Agliolo worked all 90 minutes in goal for the Pioneers and made five saves.
 
Marietta will return home on Wednesday (Sept. 10) and will welcome in Bethany College.  That matchup will follow the men's soccer game vs. Mount St. Joseph that has a kickoff scheduled for 5 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.