Marietta High's girls' soccer team has Sept. 26 circled on its calendar.
That's when the Lady Tiger booters are scheduled to play the Reynoldsburg Raiders in a non-conference match at Crew Stadium in Columbus at 11 a.m.
Later, at 7:30 p.m., the defending Major League Soccer champion Columbus Crew will be hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy.
"The Crew has called us the last couple of years, but I never thought of playing there because it's pretty far away," said MHS girls head coach Jeff Price. "But this year...well, the only team we could have done it with is Reynoldsburg.
"Plus, when I saw who the Crew was playing that night, the Galaxy and David Beckham, that kind of sold me."
Beckham, incidentally, has been on loan to AC Milan in Milan, Italy, since late last year. The talented midfielder is expected to rejoin the Galaxy on July 11, and play against the host New York Red Bulls on July 16.
When Beckham does begin play on the pitch in the USA, he will be teamed up with Landon Donovan, last season's MLS Most Valuable Player.
When the Crew and Galaxy faced off last year, it was a sell-out.
Right now, the Marietta girls team is selling tickets for the September match to help defray costs to central Ohio.
The seats are located in the lower sideline area and are discounted at $22 apiece (a $4 savings).
To obtain tickets, phone Price at (740)525-2975, or e-mail him at Jeffhp@suddenlink.net.
"I think the girls are excited about this trip," Price said. "Some have been to Crew Stadium before to watch games and the high school playoffs. It's a pretty big field."
The season-ending high school girls soccer state tournament is slated to be played at Crew Stadium November 11, 13 and 14.
About the time that Beckham will be competing in New York City, the Marietta girls team will be playing in the 2009 adidas National High School Soccer Showcase in Strongsville (near Cleveland) July 17-19. This is an event designed to bring high schools teams from across the United States to play a series of matches for player identification, team development and program comparison.
Last year, the event event attracted over 340 high school teams that played a series of seven different matches against different states, leagues, regions and conferences.
"We'll be playing against some good competition," Price said.
Marietta, 13-6-1 overall last fall, is expected to field another solid team on the pitch this season.
A few of the returnees will be SEOAL honorees Maegan Grosel, Sarah Lathrop, and Kaitlyn Bonar.
In 2008, Grosel, the SEOAL East Division Player of the Year, led the Lady Tiger booters in scoring with 12 goals, eight in league play.
Lathrop is an excellent, mark-up defender, and Bonar as keeper gave up just seven goals from her position between the pipes.
Since last season, Bonar has suffered a knee injury (an ACL tear).
She is expected however to make the trip to Crew Stadium on September 26.
"It'll be a nice eventful day," Price said. "A good memory."
Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor, and can be reached at 376-5441, or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
