Millersville, Pa. – With less than 20 seconds left in double overtime, the visiting Mercyhurst Lakers fired a free kick attempt into the 18-yard box from distance that found Joseph Korb who scored the game-winner with eight seconds to play. Korb's heroics sealed the Lakers 2-1 win Saturday afternoon as the winner of the No. 1 vs. No. 2 teams was named the conferences Regular Season Champion and earned the right to host the post season tournament.
Prior to kickoff, the Marauders honored their three seniors:
Ben Johnston,
Jaime Vazquez and
Kohl Orner.
The Lakers got on the board first with an early goal by Thom Derks. In the 5th minute Derks fired a shot that beat keeper
Kohl Orner but grazed the post, but the midfielder was able to collect his own rebound and fire another shot that found the back of the net.
In the closing minutes of the first period,
Jaxson Burns gained outstanding position within the 18-yard box and ripped a shot that was blocked by a Laker defender. On the ensuing corner kick attempt
Ryan Phelps crossed the ball to teammate
Devin Rediker whose shot attempt sailed inches above the crossbar. The Lakers carried their 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
The Marauders were able to tie the game on a penalty shot in the 56th minute. Millersville earned the opportunity thanks to a handball inside the box by defender Michael Blancato.
Jaime Vazquez succeeded in getting Daniel Lowton to commit the wrong way for his PSAC leading 18th goal of the season.
With the score remaining tied at one through regulation time and the first overtime, it set up the heroics from Korb. Korb received a ball on the free kick attempt with eight seconds remaining and blasted the shot to clinch the title for the Lakers. It was Korb's fourth tally on the season and second game-winner.
Millersville had the Lakers on their heels for the majority of the match as it outshot the visitors by a 22-15 margin. Millersville placed six more of its shot attempts on target (12-6). The matchup was certainly the most physical of the season as the teams combined to be shown 10 yellow card cautions.
Mercyhurst is slated to host the 2015 PSAC Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. The tournament begins Tuesday, November 3, with the Marauders slated to square off against the winner of the quarterfinals matchup between Lock Haven and Bloomsburg. The semifinals will be Friday, November 6. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.