Millersville Steps Past West Chester In OT Of NCAA Semifinals, 2-1

Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Millersville's Champayne Hess poked a cross from teammate Katelyn Zapp into an open net three minutes into overtime, lifting No. 2 Millersville to a 2-1 victory over top-ranked West Chester in the NCAA semifinals at Trager Stadium on the campus of University of Louisville Thursday afternoon.
 
West Chester (18-3) came up short in its bid for a third win over Millersville (19-3) this season. The two PSAC rivals split their season series 2-2 with three of the four games going into overtime.
 
It was Hess' third overtime game-winner this season. She also scored the double-OT game-winner against West Chester back on Sept. 23.
 
Millersville took the lead five minutes into the contest when Alicia Youtz deflected a shot past West Chester goalkeeper Sarah Krause (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) following a nice combo play at the top of the circle. Youtz was about eight meters in front of the Golden Rams' goal and got her stick on a shot from Lauren Gerhart.
 
Toppi tied things up seven minutes later when she batted in a cross from teammate Marnie Kusakavitch (Pittston, Pa./Holy Redeemer) along the end line. That opportunity was set up when Kristina Scherrer (Enola, Pa./Cumberland Valley) lifted a ball down the near sideline, and Kusakavitch ran past the Millersville defender and caught up to the ball just before it went out of bounds.
 
For Toppi, it was her team-leading 22nd goal of the season.
 
The two conference rivals played nearly 60 minutes of scoreless field hockey following Toppi's goal until Hess ended the contest three minutes into the extra session. The loss marks the first time that West Chester has lost a semifinal round, or championship, game in the NCAA Tournament since re-classifying to Division II in 2011.
 
Krause (15-3) made two saves in 73 minutes of action. Millersville's Lauren Sotzin (19-3) was credited with five saves in the win.