WEST CHESTER, Pa.- The West Chester University men's soccer team (9-3-3, 6-2-2) returned home on Wednesday afternoon to square off against Millersville (10-2-3, 7-1-2) in a PSAC East clash with major postseason implications. Entering the day tied for second in the PSAC East with 20 points each, just one point back of Bloomsburg for first, Millersville took the lead in the East with a 3-0 victory over West Chester on Wednesday afternoon.
Today's result shuffles the Golden Ram back to third in the Eastern Division, trailing Bloomsburg (whom the Golden Rams went 1-0-1 against in the regular season) by a point in the standings. The Golden Rams have yet to clinch the third and final playoff spot, still needing either one more point or one more Lock Haven loss to punch their ticket to the PSAC Tournament. The Bald Eagles return to action tonight at home against Bloomsburg beginning at 7 p.m.
Millersville broke through midway through the first half with the first shot on goal by either side in the 21st minute from Bob Hennessey, which Good saved with a diving stop. While Good saved the first chance, he could not control the rebound, which led to the first and lone goal of the first half just seconds later from Roy Parkyn, giving the visitors the 1-0 lead.
West Chester applied pressure to the Marauder defense during the balance of the opening half but was unable to get a shot on goal in the opening frame as the game went to the half with the Marauders leading 1-0.
West Chester nearly found the equalizer early in the second half when Peter Tichy (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) found his way onto the end of an Owen Slack (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) free kick, but the offside flag was in the air, nullifying the chance.
The Golden Rams continued to apply pressure from this point, getting their first corner of the game moments later, which led to a shot from just outside the box by Devven Frey (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson), but the Marauders managed the chance to keep the Golden Rams scoreless for at least a few more minutes.
In the 59th minute, Slack delivered another excellent service into the box from just across midfield, but Millersville keeper Travis Holiday elevated and made a strong catch before the Golden Rams could get a head to the ball.
After stopping this chance, Millersville launched a strong counterattack, applying heavy pressure to Good and the West Chester defense, but the Golden Rams were up to the task, keeping the deficit where it was at 1-0.
West Chester continued to apply pressure, but Millersville was the next team to find the back of the net, using a long pass from Hennessey to the feet of Zander Leik, who shot from distance past a charging Good to give the Marauders a 2-0 lead.
The Marauders stretched their lead to 3-0 moments later thanks to the third assist of the game by Hennessey as he found Michael Dempsey to give the guests a commanding lead.
In the 77th minute, West Chester won a PK following a handball in the box, but the normally automatic Andrew Markopoulos (Drexel Hill, Pa./Msgr. Bonner & Prendie) saw his chance sneak just over the bar, keeping the deficit at 3-0.
West Chester continued to apply pressure late, seeking to avoid the shutout, but Holiday made two more big saves to keep West Chester off the scoreboard and lift his team to a crucial 3-0 victory.
Millersville ended the match with an 11-6 lead in shots, although the two teams were even in shots on goal at four each. Millersville also ended the contest with a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks, applying heavy pressure to the Golden Rams defense throughout the afternoon.
Daniel Good (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) made just one save in the setback, while Holiday made four stops to halt the Golden Ram offense on Wednesday afternoon.
Up Next:
West Chester returns to action on Sunday at Lock Haven at 3 p.m.
