OAC Tournament hopes take a severe blow for Marietta women's soccer with 1-1 tie against visiting Wilmington
Marietta needs a win over John Carroll Saturday in regular season finale and some help to make four-team playoff

Oct. 25, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio –The Marietta College women's soccer team took the field Wednesday (Oct. 25) knowing that it had to defeat visiting Wilmington College in order to remain in control for one of the four bids to next week's Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament. The Pioneers had their opportunities during the 110-minute affair, but the score ended in a 1-1 tie, hurting Marietta's hopes for a postseason berth.

The Pioneers (7-5-6, 3-2-3 OAC) took a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute. Junior Vanessa Nicholls (Cornwall, ONT, Canada) connected on a header inside the far post on a cross from classmate Marianne Siders (Belle, W.Va./Riverside). The goal was Nicholls' third of the season. She has now scored in three straight games.

Wilmington (10-2-4, 4-2-2 OAC) did not wait long to retaliate, scoring just 23 seconds later to tie the game at 1-1. Alex Hesson took a pass from Jessica Evans on the left side, just outside the 6', and drilled it inside the far post for her ninth goal of the season.

Each team had open looks during the final 60 minutes, but both defenses held strong. Marietta had two free kicks just outside the box in the first overtime, but one hit the top right corner of the goal and the other sailed high.

The Pioneers' Jenna Freeman (Bay Village) faced 15 shots and had 13 saves in the game. Wilmington's Casey McKinney faced 10 shots and made three saves. There was also a team save for the Quakers.

Marietta closes out the regular season Saturday (Oct. 28) afternoon when it plays host to John Carroll at 12 p.m. Saturday is Senior Day for three Pioneers—Dana Donchess (Poland/Poland Seminary), Chelsey Moore (Strongsville/Olmsted Falls) and Jill Sorboro (Cuyahoga Falls)—at Marietta Field and they will be recognized before the game.

Playoff scenario: Marietta needs to defeat John Carroll Saturday afternoon to have a chance at making the OAC Tournament. In addition, Baldwin-Wallace needs to take down Wilmington or the two teams must tie, and Ohio Northern has to beat Capital. A Baldwin-Wallace win would eliminate the Quakers and place the Pioneers and the Yellow Jackets in a tie for fourth place. Marietta would win the tiebreaker and thus the berth into the OAC Tournament because it beat Baldwin-Wallace 1-0 during the season.

If B-W and Wilmington tie, Marietta would be tied four fourth with Wilmington. Since the two teams tied, the tiebreaker is determined by the results of each team against the league, beginning with the first place team and working down. In this case, an Ohio Northern win would move them ahead of Capital in the standings, and Marietta tied ONU while Wilmington lost. If Capital wins, Wilmington would get the bid because it tied the Crusaders and the Pioneers lost.

Otterbein, Capital and Ohio Northern have already clinched spots in the Tournament, which begins Tuesday (Oct. 31).