Box Score MILLERSVILLE, Pa. -
Alexis Versak (Limerick, Pa./Spring-Ford) scored a pair of goals two minutes apart in the first seven minutes of the game, but top-ranked Millersville battled back to earn a 3-2 victory in double overtime at home against second-ranked West Chester University Tuesday afternoon inside Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium.
West Chester (5-1, 3-1 PSAC) dropped its first game of the season while Millersville (6-0, 4-0) remains perfect on the year.
Versak scored both of her goals off penalty corners to give the visitors an early two-goal advantage. However, the Marauders finally got on the board seven minutes later, and then notched the equalizer five minutes into the second half. From there, each side battled the remaining half hour in an effort worthy of a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. When the final horn of regulation had sounded, the Golden Rams and Marauders were knotted at 2-apiece and headed to overtime.
The first OT period ended scoreless with Millersville outshooting West Chester, 8-5, and holding a 5-3 edge in corners. The second OT period saw the momentum shift to the visiting side as the Golden Rams ripped off five shots in the first two minutes, but could not get the game-winner. Playing 7-on-7 in the OT session, Millersville finally ended the contest in the 92nd minute when Champayne Hess subbed in on the fly, collected a long pass from the Marauders' back and raced in on West Chester's goal. Hess beat a defender, then deked the goalkeeper and slid the ball into an open net to seal the victory.
Versak took 11 of West Chester's 23 shots in the game, and eight of them were on goal. Millersville goalkeeper, Lauren Sotzin, who defeated West Chester four times last season, including three by shutout, made 12 saves to pick up the win. Versak's marker five minutes into the game ended a shutout streak for Sotzin against the Rams that reached just over 271 consecutive minutes. The last time Millersville allowed two goals at Biemesderfer Stadium was in October 2012 - also against the Golden Rams.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Sarah Krause (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) made eight saves in a valiant effort in the cage.
West Chester travels to Seton Hill on Saturday for an 11 a.m. start against the Griffins.
