Lady Jackets fall to Marietta College 2-0 in season opener

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College Lady Yellow Jackets opened up their season with a tough 2-0 loss to the hands of the Marietta College Lady Pioneers.

The season took a tough start for the Yellow Jackets as Marietta's senior Stacey Smith let one go from almost 30 yards just five minutes into the game. As it deflected off a Defiance defender up into the air and out of the reach of goalkeeper Claire Turner (Medina, Ohio).

Both defenses then picked it up after the goal. Behind the Defiance defense of senior Kim Bingley (Ottawa, Ohio), junior Chelsie Moyer (Tipp City, Ohio), and freshman Darragh Hurst (Milford Center, Ohio) the Lady Pioneers were only able to get off three shots. Defiance controlled the tempo for the most of the first half but could not find the back of the net with five shots. Both goalkeepers protected their nets until halftime keeping the score at 1-0 in favor of the lady pioneers.

Neither team could break through early in the second half. Marietta's Jessica Long put a shot on goal that was turned away by Turner. However, the rebound found its way to Marietta junior Stevie Reilly, who found an open Emily Jones, who scored from just inside the 18, putting it in the top left part of the net.

The best chance for Defiance in the remaining time left came with six and a half minutes left when senior Karly Smith (Parma, Ohio) snuck a pass into the box to sophomore Jessie Bell (West Salem, Ohio). Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Pearse was able stop the touch shot, one of her nine saves in the game.

The Lady Yellow Jackets finished with nine shots on goal on 12 shots compared to Marietta's 14 shots on goal in 18 attempts.

Defiance will play again at home against Westminster on Sunday (9/1) at 1 p.m.