Bloomsburg, Pa. - With the Wednesday's game at Bloomsburg on the line in overtime, Millersville field hockey called on its two-time All-American. Senior
Rachel Dickinson scored on a penalty stroke 1:41 into extra time, giving the Marauders a 1-0 win and keeping the No. 1-ranked team in Division II unbeaten.
There was a time when a Millersville (5-0, 2-0 PSAC) win over Bloomsburg (2-3, 1-2 PSAC) was exceedingly rare, but it's becoming commonplace. The Marauders have now won four in a row in the series after going from 1989-2012 without a win. Three of those four wins and four of the last five meetings have been decided in overtime.
Millersville controlled the action Wednesday, out-shooting the Huskies 10-4 and placing seven shots on goal. Five saves were made by Lindsay Cassel and two were stopped by defenders. Millersville also doubled-up the Huskies in penalty corners, 12-6. Marauder keeper
Lauren Sotzin needed to make only one save for her fourth shutout of the season and the 22nd of her career.
Dickinson placed three shots on goal, and
Hannah Whitman and
Margaret Thorwart put two shots on goal. Despite totaling eight corners and seven shots in the first half, the Marauders were unable to score. The second half played more even with both teams taking two shots. 70 minutes of action was not enough, but the Marauders offensive pressure drew a penalty stroke in the opening minutes of the overtime period. Dickinson, who scored Millersville's game-winner in the 2013 PSAC Championship game on a penalty stroke, delivered once again for her second goal of the season. It was her sixth career game winner.
Millersville's victory sets up a showdown against West Chester on Sept. 23 at home. The Marauders and Golden Rams are the last two undefeated teams in the PSAC.