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Women’s Soccer: Ohio Athletic Conference Preview

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Nine matches down, nine matches to go; Ohio Athletic Conference play is upon the Marietta Pioneers.

The Pioneers came into the OAC season in the midst of a five-match losing streak, putting them at 2-7 and second-to-last among conference teams.

Junior Stevie Reilly and senior Emily Jones lead the squad in scoring with three goals apiece, but Jones leads the team in shots attempted, 19, three ahead of fellow senior Stacey Smith.

Senior Kaitlyn Pearse has primarily taken care of goalkeeping duties, stopping 38 shots and amassing a goals against average of 2.44. During a three-game stretch, freshman Sam Kelley took over for the injured Pearse, registering ten saves of her own.

Strong goalkeeping will be just one of the many crucial elements needed from the Pioneers to make some noise in their conference; a conference that boasts eight teams that are above, at or one game below .500.

In a combined 86 matches, the other nine members of the conference have netted 153 goals, with five teams averaging at least two goals per contest. To complement the steady offense, five squads are also allowing less than one goal per match.

Play has also been aggressive, with six teams having earned a yellow card and five squads with at least 50 corner kicks.

Marietta struggled against conference foes in 2012, getting outscored 25-4 on its way to a 1-7-1 record against the OAC.

The Pioneers look to get conference competition off to a hot start when they travel to Tiffin, Ohio, on Saturday at 2 p.m[BP3] . to tangle with Heidelberg University.

Baldwin-Wallace Yellow Jackets (9-1)

Head Coach: Reid Ayers (11th season)

2012 record: Overall: (12-3-4) OAC: (6-2-1)

2012 result against Marietta: W 5-1

2013 matchup against Marietta: 11/2/13 @ Baldwin-Wallace

Key players: Senior forward Heather Keller (leads team with seven goals and 24 shots), sophomore goalkeeper Emily Tallmadge (1.39 goals against average, 35 saves), senior defenders Elizabeth Helser and senior Kayla Losco (2012 All-OAC first team honorees)

Newcomer to watch: Defender Kelly Gough (nine appearances, one goal and two assists)

Capital Crusaders (7-2-1)

Head Coach: Chris Kouns (third season)

2012 record: Overall: (10-8-2) OAC: (5-3-1)

2012 result against Marietta: W 4-0

2013 matchup against Marietta: 10/22/13 @ Capital

Key players: Senior forward Hilary Ells (2011 second team All-OAC, leads team with six goals in 2013), senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan (reigning OAC goalkeeper of the year, 0.92 goals against average in 2013), sophomore defender Maria Richards (2012 All-OAC second team)

Newcomer to watch: Forward Becca Cartmill (one goal, three assists and 15 shots in 2013)

Heidelberg Student Princes (1-7-1)

Head Coach: Nick Spell (eighth season)

2012 record: Overall: (3-13-1) OAC: (2-7-0)

2012 result against Marietta: L 0-1

2013 matchup against Marietta: 10/5/13 @ Heiderlburg

Key players: Junior forward Christina Neal (leads team in goals, three, and shots, 13), sophomore midfielder/forward Brittany Yost (one of three players to start all eight matches, one goal in 2013)

Newcomer to watch: Lindsey Marcum (started seven matches, four shots in 2013)

John Carroll Blue Streaks (3-4-3)

Head Coach: Michael Marich (second season)

2012 record: Overall: (9-7-4) OAC: (4-2-3)

2012 result against Marietta: W 4-0

2013 matchup against Marietta: 10/12/13 @ John Carroll

Key players: Senior goalkeeper Nicole Grys (two shutouts, 1.31 goals against average), junior forward Kay Akerly (leads team with five points, 34 shots, reigning OAC Forward of the Year)

Newcomer to watch: Defender/midfielder Andrea Regrut (started all 10 matches, named Oneota Mayor’s Cup All-Tournament team)

Marietta Pioneers (2-7)

Head Coach: Tracy Blasius (first season)

2012 record: Overall: (3-13-1) OAC: (1-7-1)

Goals for/against: 8/24

Shots for/against: 70/129

Key players: Junior forward Stevie Reilly (co-leads team with three goals, two assists), Stacey Smith (starter in all 9 games, 16 shots)

Newcomer to watch: Forward Elle Sage (seen action in all nine games.)

Mount Union Purple Raiders (7-2-1)

Head Coach: Kelley Clark (third season)

2012 record: Overall: (11-6) OAC: (5-4)

2012 result against Marietta: W 3-1

2013 matchup with Marietta: 10/8/13 @ Marietta

Key players: Sophomore forward Shannon Evans (leads team with six goals, 2012 All-OAC first team), junior goalkeeper Maria Favorite (0.77 goals against average, 43 saves)

Newcomer to watch: Midfielder Carolyn Balzano (four goals, second on team in shots with 16)

Muskingum Fighting Muskies (7-1-2)

Head Coach: Mary Beth Caudill (17th season)

2012 record: Overall: (4-13-1) OAC: (0-8-1)

2012 result against Marietta: D 1-1

2013 matchup against Marietta: 10/16/13 @ Marietta

Key players: Junior forward Moriah Mathies (leads team in goals, six, and assists, five), senior forward Raven Francis (five goals, team-high 37 shots)

Newcomer to watch: Forward/midfielder Morgan Price (three goals, two assists and nine starts)

Ohio Northern Polar Bears (4-5-1)

Head Coach: Mark Batman (ninth season, reigning OAC Coach of the Year.)

2012 record: Overall: (13-5-5) OAC: (5-3-1)

2012 result against Marietta: W 5-0

2013 matchup against Marietta: 10/19/13 @ Marietta

Key players: Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Brodict (1.19 goals against average, 41 saves), junior forward Kristina Klusek (32 shots, three goals, 2012 All-OAC first team), senior defender Abby Vargo (2012 All-OAC second team)

Newcomer to watch: Defender Michaela Guttierez (only freshman to earn a start; she has four)

Otterbein Cardinals (5-3-1)

Head Coach: Brandon Koons (14th season)

2012 record: Overall: (13-6) OAC: (8-1)

2012 result against Marietta: W 2-0

2013 matchup against Marietta: 10/30/13 @ Marietta

Key players: Senior defender Amanda Case (2012 All-OAC first team), sophomore forward Megan McCabe (three goals, 14 shots)

Newcomer to watch: Forward Jillian Strimbu (leads team with four goals, two assists)

Wilmington Quakers (6-3-1)

Head Coach: Steve Spirk (21st season)

2012 record: Overall: (12-7-1) OAC: (5-4)

2012 result against Marietta: W 2-1

2013 matchup against Marietta: 10/26/13 @ Wilmington

Key players: Senior defender Rachel Gutowski (2012 All-OAC second team), senior defender Jenni Marck (leads team with four goals, started all 10 matches)

Newcomer to watch: Midfielder Lauren Hamrock (10 starts, two goals)