Pioneers Top Ravens in Season Opener

Marietta College topped the Anderson University women's lacrosse team with an 18-8 victory on Saturday at Macholtz Stadium.

"I'm very pleased on how we played," Coach Colin McSharar said. "It was a very close game until half way through the second half. We took the lead early and had it tied most of the way through the first half. This was the first time in our history that we've had a full 12 on the field. So many players not just played their first ever college lacrosse game, but a lot played their first ever lacrosse game today. So there were a lot of nerves and unsurity. But the family stayed together for 60 minutes."

Marietta (4-1) captured its third victory in a row.

"Marietta is off to a great start so far. They're 4-1 now and their only loss was a one-goal loss to former Ohio River Lacrosse Conference and now President's Athletic Conference powerhouse Washington & Jefferson. They've taken it to every team they've beaten- except for us. And for that, I'm proud."

The Pioneers racked up nine free-position attempts and scored on six (66.7 percent) opportunities. Anderson (0-1) converted 1-of-3 (33.3 percent) free-position attempts.

Marietta cleared 10-of-12 (83.3 percent) attempts while the Ravens finished 11-of-25 (44 percent) clears.

"Marietta was obviously talented. But, we beat ourselves today. Our clearing percentage was below 50 percent. We gave them way too many free positions due to mental errors. And we dropped several feeds that would normally been goals. But the good news is, is that all the things we need to fix are easily fixable. We should have everything ironed-out soon."

The Pioneers outshot the Ravens 35-19.

Samantha Huber led the Ravens with three goals. Kaitlyn Lawson contributed three points on two goals and an assist. Mallory Housman netted two goals. Elizabeth Graham also recorded a goal and an assist.

Graham paced Anderson with six shots. Huber provided five shots. Housman tallied four shots. Lawson contributed two shots while Katie Essick and Emily Albert each added shots.

Huber registered four shots on goal. Graham and Housman turned in three shots goal apiece. Lawson posted two shots on goal while Essick tallied a shot on goal.

Madison Leonard picked up a team-high five ground balls. Albert caused three turnovers. Lawson notched four ground balls and two caused turnovers. Graham recorded three ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Leonard faced 29 shots and came up with 11 saves.

Anderson goes head-to-head with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (0-3) on Sunday at 10 a.m. at Macholtz Stadium.

"If we come out [on Sunday] the same way we did [on Saturday], we'll have a good day. UW-La Crosse will be playing us as their third game in three days. But, they are still a balanced team. If we play our game, we will be successful."