Box Score MARIETTA, Ohio - On Saturday the Cougars (2-0) traveled to Marietta, Ohio for their matchup with the Marietta Pioneers (0-1). After a high scoring first half, the teams combined for five total goals in the second half, all coming in the fourth quarter. The Cougars were able to use their early lead and hold on to win 9-7.


First year Bella Walski-Rodriguez continued her early season tear scoring the first goal of the game and then adding another goal later in the first quarter. Sarah Holt scored her second goal of the season, giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead just 3 ½ minutes into the game. The Pioneers would answer back with a pair of goals to tie the game at 2. That was when Walski-Rodriguez scored her second goal of the day and fifth of the season to give the Cougars the 3-2 lead heading into the second quarter. 


Despite the Pioneers tying the game early in the second quarter, the Cougars controlled the quarter. Fellow first year Sara Kaesshaefer scored her fifth goal of the season on a free position shot giving the Cougars the lead right back. That was the first of three straight goals scored by the Cougars, Natalie Ondo scored her fourth goal of the season and Sarah Holt scored her third of the season and second of the game. Izzy Davanti assisted on the goal by Ondo, her seventh assist of the season. That gave the Cougars a 6-3 lead which the Pioneers would chip away at with a goal of their own. Not to be outdone, the Cougars added one last goal before halftime when Walski-Rodriguez scored her third goal of the game and sixth of the season. That gave the Cougars a 7-4 lead into the break.


The third quarter was a back and forth affair where neither team could find the back of the net. The Cougars only allowed two Pioneer shots in the third quarter, both were saved by Meghan Cuza-Berry. The Cougars managed nine shots of their own with five being saved by the Pioneers. That set up a fourth quarter where The Cougars were outscored in a quarter for the first time this season. First year Campbell Murphy scored her first career goal to give the Cougars their largest lead of the game. The Pioneers would cut the Cougars four goal lead in half with 8 minutes remaining in the game before Sara Kaesshaefer scored her second goal of the game and sixth of the season assisted by Izzy Davanti, her eighth assist of the season and second of the game. That put the Cougars back up by three. Despite a late push by the Pioneers, they were only able to manage one goal as the Cougars won 9-7.


Bella Walski-Rodriguez paced the Cougars with three goals, while Sarah Holt and Sara Kaesshaefer each added a pair. Davanti also had two points recording both of the Cougars assists. Campbell Murphy led the team with five draw controls, while Marcella Valentine led the Cougars with six ground balls and four caused turnovers. Sofia Hoetzlein-Sirman also had four caused turnovers and recorded three ground balls. Meghan Cuza-Berry picked up her second win of the season making eight saves and having a save rate of .533. The Cougars completed 15 of 18 clear attempts while causing seven failed clears by the Pioneers.


The Cougars will be back in action on Saturday February 28th when they play Ohio Northern in Ada, Ohio at 1 PM.