Marietta and Charleston battle to a 1-1 tie
Freeman saves a penalty kick to preserve deadlock

Sept. 6, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio – The best way for a freshman goalkeeper to build confidence is to come through in the clutch. For Jenna Freeman (Bay Village), she did just that Wednesday (Sept. 6) evening. Freeman showed the nerves of a veteran late in the second half, as she stopped a Charleston (W.Va.) penalty kick to help preserve a 1-1 tie.

After two 10 minute overtimes, which were played under the light of almost a full moon (the moon is actually full on Thursday), the match ended as it started, a tie.

Marietta (1-1-1) jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the eighth minute, when sophomore Jessica Martinez (Strongsville/Magnificat) scored her first goal of the year. Martinez, the Pioneers' leading goal scorer back from 2005, received a cross from senior Dana Donchess (Poland/Poland Seminary), took two quick touches and then fired it past the Golden Eagle goalkeeper for the score.

Charleston (1-2-1) tied the game in the 72nd minute, when Emily Swisshelm beat Freeman on a shot that found the lower left opening in the goal.

Freeman was able to stop Swisshelm's next attempt on the penalty kick to keep the game tied at 1-1.

Marietta out shot Charleston 9-6 in the game. Freeman finished with five saves, while her counterpart Whitney Sharp had eight in the game.

The Pioneers return to action Saturday (Sept. 9), when they look to defend their title at the Lion Invitational, hosted by Penn State-Altoona. Marietta opens against Albright (Pa.) at 10 a.m.