WEST CHESTER, PA—The PSAC Quarterfinals have come, as the Golden Rams welcomed the Millersville Marauders back to Rockwell Field this afternoon. As the game kicked off, it was very physical throughout the first half, as early on both teams were evenly matched. Defense was a key factor throughout the contest as the first half was primarily a defensive battle, however, the offensive firepower of each team picked up in the second half and into the overtime sessions. West Chester battled throughout but Millersville emerged victorious by a slim 2-1 margin following a converted penalty kick in the second overtime period.
After halftime, the shots began to pile up for both teams. However, Millersville was on the attack throughout the second half. Despite the Marauder pressue, West Chester opened the scoring as
Eric Greer (Chadds Ford, PA / Unionville) managed to sneak through the Marauder defense and took an excellent pass from fellow senior
Gio Jimenez (Turnervsille, N.J./Washington Twp), kicking one past GK Bobby Bosch to make the score 1-0 West Chester in the 63
rd minute in regulation. Millersville took this and put pressure on the Golden Rams defense once again, as in total they had 17 shots in the second half compared to West Chester's 5. Anthony Calamia of the Marauders found an opening in the Golden Rams defense, tying the score in the 82
nd minute of play to make it 1-1. Each team applied steady pressure through the closing moments of regulation but the respective defenses were up to the task as the game went to overtime locked at 1-1.
Millersville and West Chester have had a history this year of having very tight games, with both games in the regular season between these two ending in a one-goal difference. The 1
st overtime began shortly after end of regulation, as the shots seemingly quieted from the barrage that the Marauder offense shot against goalkeeper
Daniel Good (Junior / Exton, PA / Downingtown East) , even though they still outshot the Golden Rams 4-1. West Chester held off the Marauders again in the 1
st overtime, as the score was still the same as they went into the 2
nd overtime period. West Chester had only gone to 2 overtimes once this season at East Stroudsburg University back in October, but with the history between these two teams, something was bound to give. West Chester continued to push forward at Millersville's defense, but a crucial penalty given in the 108
th minute sent the Marauders to a penalty kick. Millersville ended up converting on the opportunity, as the Marauders end the Golden Ram's attempt at a PSAC title this year with a final score of 2-1 in two overtimes.
Good ended the contest with eight saves while his counterpart, Bosch, made six stops of his own.
West Chester now await their fate in the NCAA Tournament, as they are officially eliminated from the PSAC Tournament at the quarterfinal stage.
