Siders? goal propels Lady Pioneers to victory in Marietta Soccer Classic
Marietta opens the year with a 1-0 win over Juniata (Pa.)

Sept. 2, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio – The 2006 Marietta College women’s soccer season kicked off Saturday (Sept. 2) with the Pioneers defeating Juniata (Pa.), 1-0, in game one of the Marietta Soccer Classic.

Marietta (1-0) continued where last year’s squad left off, pitching a shutout in its opening game. A year ago, the Pioneers posted a school-record 12 shutouts. It is quite a different team in 2006, however, as graduation and injury has forced Head Coach Pat Holguin’s team to reload.

The Pioneers managed just four shots on the Don Drumm Stadium FieldTurf, but junior Marianne Siders (Belle, W.Va./Riverside) made the most of her only opportunity by beating the Eagle goalkeeper midway through the second half to account for the only goal of the afternoon. It was Siders’ second career goal.

Junior Kat Hansen (Columbus/Upper Arlington), who just entered the game, set up the goal with a nice low cross with both players inside the 18’. It was Hansen’s first assist of her career.

Freshman Jenna Freeman (Bay Village), who is charged with the tall task of replacing 2006 graduate Bethany Blahnik, collected her first career shutout. She faced seven shots on goal and made seven saves to improve to 1-0.

Juniata’s Lisa Russo made three saves in the loss.

Marietta will return to action Sunday (Sept. 3) morning when it takes on SUNY-Brockport at 9 a.m. Juniata will take on Mount Union at 1 p.m. Both games are expected to be played on Marietta Field.