BALTIMORE, Md. – The Marietta College women's lacrosse team bounced back to complete Spring Break with an overtime win over Goucher College, 11-10, on Thursday (March 12) afternoon.  With the win the Pioneers improve to 4-3 overall and with the loss the Gophers fall to 2-3.

"I am so proud of the total team effort today," said Marietta Head Coach Lindsay Reho.  "We found ourselves in a hole that first quarter and were able to turn momentum our way. It's always great to win, but being able to pull out a close victory in overtime is pretty special."

Goucher struck first in the second minute as they got a score from Emma Nelson, but Marietta was able to even the score a short time later after Molly Dickens (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) scored on a free position shot.  The Gophers retook the lead on the very next possession as Katie Bloom scored and, three minutes later, Bloom scored again to extend the Gopher lead to two.  Renee Mulvany got the Pioneers to within one as she scored from a Mallory Wiles (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) assist, but Goucher got a couple more scores to push the lead further.  The Pioneers got an offensive spark from Fiona Betzhold with two minutes left in the first and Marietta trailed 5-3 tie into the second period.
 
Both teams battled back and forth with no offense for over half of the second quarter, but Marietta broke through at the 5:56 mark as Mulvaney got an unassisted goal.  One minute later, Mulvaney scored again, this time off of a pass from Wiles, to tie the score. In the final minute of the half, the Pioneers picked up turnover, made a successful clear, and got a score from Molly Dickens (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville), giving the Pioneers a 6-5 lead at the half.
 
The third quarter saw the Pioneers extend the lead with goals from Wiles and Dickens, but the Gophers stayed close.  Amaya Locke and Nelson provided scores to cut the lead to 8-7 going into the final quarter.  
 
Things started well for Marietta in the fourth as Dickens scored on the opening possession.  Three minutes later, Wiles added a goal and the Pioneers were seemingly in control.  Goucher came back with a quick pair of scores to cut the lead to one.  With less than five minutes remaining, the Pioneers committed a foul which gave the Gophers a free position shot. Wrenn Harney converted the score and both team were deadlocked at 10.  Neither team could break the tie before the end of regulation and they went into overtime tied at 10.
 
Alayna Francis (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) won the draw control as the overtime period began and Marietta would never give the ball back.  Mulvaney scored the game winning goal off a pass from Dickens.  Marietta would go on to claim the 12-7 victory. 
 
Tessa Labrasciano (Brandon, Fla./Bloomingdale Senior) earned the victory in the net for the Pioneers.  She faced 27 shots, 19 of which were on goal, and collected nine saves. 

Marietta was led by Dickens and Mulvaney with four goals apiece.  Wiles scored twice and led with two assists.  Francis and Lydia McCarter (Fort Mill, S.C./Catawba Ridge) led with four draw controls.   Betzhold led with four groundballs and four caused turnovers.  
 
The Pioneers will next take the field Wednesday (March 18) as they travel to battle Washington and Jefferson College, with a start time of 6 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.