MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's soccer team capped off last season with a 5-4-9 record, marking the program's highest winning percentage since 2006. Even though the Pioneers closed out 2025 on a six-game undefeated streak, they narrowly missed out on a spot in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament. Head coach Zack Votra is eager to bring back a strong core of proven talent as the team looks to build on that momentum for the 2026 season.

"We're really excited to get rolling," said Votra. "Marietta isn't the same without the students here, so it's been really great to have everyone back!"

Marietta's offensive attack returns its top scorer from last season. Sophomore Katie Heighberger (LaGrange, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy), who recorded three goals along with an assist last fall, steps into a team captain role for 2026. To bolster the offense, Coach Votra added junior transfer Jaylyn Thornton (Pataskala, Ohio/Watkins Memorial). During her previous season at Lourdes University, Thornton was the team's third-leading scorer with five goals and three assists. "We're really excited to see what they can bring to our attack," Votra noted. The Pioneers will also count on junior Shelby Carr (Pataskala, Ohio/Liberty Christian Academy) to contribute to the offensive production this fall.

Senior Delilah Vazquez (Pasadena, Calif./Marshall Fundamental) returns to anchor the midfield. Coach Votra praised her talent, calling her "arguably the best player I've ever had the pleasure of coaching in my entire career," while highlighting her intelligence and technical mastery as key assets for the team. Joining Vazquez, an All-OAC First Team selection last season, in the midfield is junior team captain Dilyn Hunley (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills), who led the squad with two assists last year.

Much of the Pioneers' success in 2025 was due to an extremely stingy defense that allowed only 10 goals all season.  Marietta returns two all-conference defenders in Tati Grigoryan (Sun Valley, Calif./Crescenta Valley) and co-team captain Myah Byers (Delaware, Ohio/Delaware Hayes). "They anchored the best defense in the entire league," said Votra.  "We're expecting much of the same this year."

Francesca Agliolo (San Gabriel, Calif./Mayfield Senior), the reigning OAC Goalkeeper of the Year, returns to mind the net for the Pioneers in her senior season. Agliolo led the defense last year, surrendering just eight goals to lead the conference with a 0.66 goals against average and a .875 save percentage. She also posted six shutouts. Describing his all-conference first-team keeper, Votra noted, "She's smart, physical, and very good with the ball at her feet. She's going to be key to our success this fall."

Marietta will open the season on Tuesday (Sept. 1) in the latter half of a Men's and Women's doubleheader. The Pioneers will battle Washington and Jefferson College, with game time scheduled for 7 p.m.

"Last year was historic, but ultimately our goal is to challenge for a top spot in the conference table," concluded Coach Votra. "We're returning the core of our team that set Marietta records last season, so we're really excited to build off of that with some new faces!"

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.