DEVOLA - Senior night for the Marietta High girls' soccer team resulted in a 3-3 tie against Parkersburg South at Devola Soccer Complex Thursday night.
The Lady Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half. With 25:14 left in the half, senior Molly Josefson attempted a shot that bounced off the right goal post, but junior Katie Miller was in the right spot and was able to boot the ball in to begin the scoring.
Shortly after, senior Amelia Gullick fired in a shot at the top of the net over the goalie to make it 2-0 Marietta advantage. Josefson was credited with the assist on the play.
Article Photos
JORDAN HOLLAND The Marietta Times
Marietta’s Lucinda Ryder (6) dribbles forward as Parkersburg South’s Kaitlyn Miller (8) defends during prep girls soccer action at the Devola Soccer Complex Thursday. Marietta and South tied 3-3.
The Lady Patriots had several chances to cut the lead in the first half. With 18:12 left, they attempted a direct kick, but Marietta keeper Nora Gullick jumped and tipped the high kick over the net for the save.
Then with 13:57 left, Gullick notched two more saves. The first came on a Parkersburg South penalty kick. After Gullick made the save, the ball deflected away from her, giving the Lady Patriots a second chance, but Gullick recovered, got up and made another save to preserve the 2-0 lead.
"Nora, our goal keeper, made some really nice saves," said Marietta head coach Jeff Price. "Especially on the (penalty kick), and a couple other ones."
Fact Box
At Devola Soccer Complex
Marietta 3, Parkersburg South 3
Parkersburg South 2 1 - 3
Marietta 2 1 - 3
1st half:
M- Katie Miller goal, unassisted, 25:14
M- Amelia Gullick, Molly Josefson assist, 24:45
PS- Kaitlyn Miller goal, Lexi Smith assist, 10:34
PS- Lexi Smith goal, Kaitlyn Miller assist, 3:41
2nd half:
PS- Kaitlyn Miller goal, Halleigh Miller assist, 9:11
M- Molly Josefson goal, unassisted, 7:53
Team stats:
Shots on goal: Marietta 7, Parkersburg South 7; Keeper saves: Marietta 6 (Nora Gullick), Parkersburg South 5 (Alexis Skinner); Corner kicks: Marietta 2, Parkersburg South 4
Next match: Athens at Marietta Monday
South finally got one in with 10:34 left, when junior Kaitlyn Miller made a shot on the left side of the net, with an assist from junior Lexi Smith.
With just under four minutes remaining in the half, Miller returned the favor, assisting Smith on a goal to tie things up at 2-2.
The second half was a defensive struggle, quite the opposite of the first half.
The Lady Patriots took their first lead of the game with just 9:11 remaining in the game. Miller scored her second goal, with an assist from her sister Halleigh Miller to put South up 3-2.
Josefson, who leads the Lady Tigers in goals this season, got out away from the pack and scored a breakaway goal with 7:53 left to secure the tie.
Both teams went back and forth in the final seven minutes, but neither was able to put one in the net.
"I was impressed with the effort from Marietta," said Parkersburg South head coach Ron Bucholtz. "They really came out and played tough tonight."
Price, whose team is now 7-7-2 on the season, agreed that it was toughly battled contest.
"It was hard fought on both sides," Price explained. "The girls fought very hard. That was the biggest thing. They never even thought about giving up."
The game was Marietta's final one of the regular season, as the Lady Tigers now prepare to host Athens in Division II sectional play on Monday.
"Where we started and where we are is a big improvement," Price said. "And we've continued it. We haven't stopped improving all year."
