MARIETTA – The Pioneers scored with just a 1:23 left on the clock but the Franciscan women's lacrosse team was able to cause a pair of turnovers in the final minute of play and the Lady Barons held on for the 13-12 win over Marietta in the teams' first meeting, Wednesday evening.
 
The Pioneers had the ball in the final 10 seconds but senior Elizabeth Jordan (West Milford, NJ/Mary Help of Christians) caused a turnover and picked up the ground ball to seal the win for Franciscan. With 1:23 left in regulation, Shelby Millheim scored off a free position shot to get the Pioneers to within on but a solid defensive effort helped the Lady Barons to a 2-0 start to the season.
 
The Lady Barons opened the game with a three-goal run in the first seven minutes of action thanks to a goal from freshmen Grace Deegan (Akron, OH/Stow) and Annie King (Westerville, OH/St. Francis deSales) and senior Triese McCarthy (Jenkintown, PA/Jenkintown).A After the Pioneers cut it back to one, McCarthy kicked off a 3-0 run for Franciscan to push its lead to 6-2 with 6:33 left in the opening half. The Pioneers ended the half on a 2-1 run to cut the lead to 7-5 at the break.
 
Deegan came out of the half firing and pushed the Lady Barons lead to 9-5 with the first two goals of the second for the Lady Barons. The Pioneers and Lady Barons traded the next two goals before Marietta went on a 3-0 run to get within one, 10-9, with 14:16 to play.
 
After a foul two minutes later, but Deegan at the 8-meter mark again, the freshman converted her free position shot to give the Lady Barons a two-goal cushion. King pushed the lead three with a goal with the extra-man advantage with 7:44 to play. The Pioneers got one back before King scored on a free-position shot with 4:59 left to give Franciscan the 13-10 advantage.
 
Marietta scored the game's final two goals to set up the dramatic defensive stand for Franciscan.

Deegan once again led the Lady Barons with seven goals while King added three and senior Carly McDonald (New Market, MN/Lakeville South) added a pair. Jordan picked up a game-best seven ground balls and won five draw controls for Franciscan while causing five turnovers, including the win-sealing turnover in the final 10 seconds.
 
Franciscan will come home for the first time this year as the Lady Barons host Ohio Valley on March 7 at 5:00 pm.