Lady Pioneers drop season opener to Carthage (WI) 5-4

Sept. 3, 2004
MARIETTA, Ohio - The Marietta College women's soccer team opened up its 2004 season with a 5-4 loss to Carthage (WI) in the first game of the MC Classic at Don Drumm Stadium today (Sept. 3).

Coach Pat Holguin's team found themselves down early to a very aggressive Lady Red team, but battled back to tie the score in the 77th minute. Carthage (1-0) was able to take advantage of a Pioneer mistake down the stretch to pull out the one goal victory.

"The ladies played extremely tough today," said Holguin. "They showed a lot of heart out there, fighting back from a three-goal deficit against a well- coached Carthage team."

Four different Pioneers (0-1) scored goals in the loss. Amy Lehosit (Pickerington) got things started, scoring on a penalty kick in the 21st minute. She also picked up an assist on the second goal, when her corner kick found Kristin Drain (Point Pleasant, WV) and then was fired into the back of the net to pull MC within two goals at 4-2.

Freshmen Katherine Vickers (Vienna, WV/Meday, MA) and Allison Knowles (Wakeman) each added a goal in their first collegiate game. Knowles' goal tied the score at 4-4 with 13 minutes to go, but Carthage was able to respond with a goal of their own and hold on for the 5-4 win.

Jackie Dernek (Muskego, WI) led Carthage with two goals and Megan Fitzgerald (Naperville, IL/Central) scored the game-winning goal with 11:50 to play.

Bethany Blahnik (Mansfield/Ontario) made nine saves for the Pioneers, while Carthage's Cara Nolte (Crystal Lake, IL/Central) had 11 stops in the win.

Marietta returns to action tomorrow at 7 p.m. when they host Agnes Scott (GA) at 7 p.m. at Don Drumm Stadium. Carthage will take on SUNY-Brockport at 3 p.m. at the Devola Complex.

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