RIGGS: Marietta’s Izzy Riggs, right, tries to figure out what just happened following a Hoban goal during the Tigers’ 8-0 loss in an Ohio Division III regional final in Dover. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

DOVER, Ohio – The way in which Marietta girls soccer concluded the 2025 season was in no way indicative of the path taken to the Elite Eight.

The Tigers ran into a brick wall in the form of Akron Archbishop Hoban in an Ohio Division III regional final, Saturday night at Crater Stadium.

Hoban scored two goals in the first 2 ½ minutes and kept the offense on high alert while putting the mercy rule into effect with nine seconds remaining in the first half in an 8-0 win.

“Hoban came out and really put it on us from the very start,” Marietta coach Bill Mannix said. “I think we were on our heels from the start. We got down two goals and we chased the entire time from there.

“I don’t think this was our best game of the year. We came in kind of beat up from the other night (in the regional semifinals). Hoban is very good, but I felt like we could have brought a little bit better showing.”

MERRILL MAIN: Marietta’s Alaina Merrill (22) defends Hoban’s Reese Gallagher (8) during Saturday’s Ohio Division III regional final in Dover. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Several major takeaways for Marietta, including an elite eight appearance and a record number of wins after finishing 17-3-1. This year’s senior class won more games as members of the Tiger program than any previous senior class at the school.

“Afterwards, I told the girls how proud I was of them,” Mannix said. “We are very proud of the four years the seniors have given to the program. We told the team who they played tonight is the standard they are looking for. This is what we are talking about as far as making it to the next level.

“We’re super happy – we are one of eight teams still playing in Ohio in Division III.”

Marietta nearly caught Hoban wrong-footed in the opening minute. Knights defender Kate Wiedt got her feet tangled near midfield and Marietta’s Grace Spencer controlled the turnover, made her way downfield and found teammate Fiona Fowler trailing on her right side. Fowler, however, just missed putting past Hoban keeper Lina McCarthy.

“That’s something you didn’t want in the script,” Hoban coach Jonathan Kostoff said. “But Kate gathered herself well. We kept her super positive in that moment. She recovered nicely and it kind of took off from there.”

CAPTAINS: The four Marietta captains, from left, Caroline Cortopassi, Izzy Riggs, Averi Kendall and Lauren Elliott are introduced during the pregame of Saturday’s Ohio Division III regional final against Akron Archbishop Hoban in Dover. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Hoban answered on the Tigers’ golden opportunity as Zoey Hodge and Reese Gallagher combined for a pair of goals within the span of 24 seconds.

Leading 2-0 with 37:36 still remaining in the first half, Marietta cooled off Hoban until Hodge scored two of her four goals near the 20-minute mark.

From there, the Knights turned the match into a track meet with Marietta doing the chasing. Reese Gallagher scored twice as part of her hat trick and Brooklyn Hampton accounted for another goal.

“Marietta is well-coached – they had an awesome season,” Kostoff said. “As for us, we are seeing a lot of kids score goals right now. We don’t feel like we are a one-trick pony. Certainly our best forward (Zoey Hodge) is as good as it gets. She is a returning All-American, but we have speed all over the place and can attack in so many different ways.

“We called this match a quiz or test number four tonight. Now we have quiz number five next Tuesday. We have high aspirations and think we have a team that can get to Columbus.”

MISEL: Marietta keeper Maura Misel waits for a shot attempt from Hoban during the Tigers’ 8-0 loss to the Knights during an Ohio Division III regional final, Saturday in Dover. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

While Hoban prepares for the Final Four with a record of 17-2-1, Marietta will make certain its team banquet tops all celebrations. Among the senior captains playing her final season was Caroline Cortopassi.

“There were so many freshmen that came in from Club Ohio – they were a great group of girls,” Cortopassi said. “They had older siblings who we played with in the past. When they came in, we all knew that it was just going to be a really good year. I’m really proud of the freshman class. They worked their butts off.

“Seeing eight goals tonight was a shock. We watched film. I didn’t expect them to be that good. But good for them – I hope they make it next week.”

Cortopassi aggravated an MCL injury on Tuesday in the regional semifinal. At Friday’s practice she told her coach to take her out of the starting lineup. Wearing a knee brace on her right leg, Cortopassi managed to see some playing time against Hoban.

“The knee didn’t hurt, it was awkward,” Corotpassi said. “It was a little weird on certain touches passing with my right foot. Last night at practice, I told the coach I would prefer if Lexi (Addis) could start. I didn’t think I was at my fullest potential and I didn’t want to hurt the team.”

REED: Marietta’s Blaire Reed (1) and Hoban’s Harlyn Haueter (3) battle for possession during Saturday’s Ohio Division III regional final in Dover. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Following the postgame team meeting after the match, most of the tears had disappeared. As a way to cap off the memories, the team still has a banquet to celebrate.

“We better have some good music because I’m ready to turn it up,” Cortopassi said. “It’smy last one and I want to see some funny pictures on the screen and hear the laughter.”