GAME OVERVIEW• Millersville concludes a two-game home stand on Saturday, Sept. 19 when it hosts the Clarion Golden Eagles. On paper, both teams look remarkably similar as each squad has produced 24 shots on goal with Clarion (1-3-1, 1-3-1 PSAC) scoring seven times, and the Black & Gold tallying six goals on the 2015 season. Defensively, both teams give up a little more than a goal a game, but the Marauders (2-3, 2-3 PSAC) come into the matchup sporting a better record.
• The Marauders nearly scored a come from behind victory over East Stroudsburg earlier this week. The Warriors buried two early first half goals, and it proved enough to hold off the Black & Gold. Millersville lacked quality offensive chances in the first period, but in the second half it looked like a completely different team as they kept ESU on its heels for most of the period. The Marauders were able to attack in threatening positions using its pace up the field where it gained numerous corner kick opportunities. Millersville held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks in the second half and a 6-4 advantage for the match.
Stacie Hallinan put the Ville on the board in the 77th minute when she received a cross from
Savannah Hall and one-touched the ball past ESU keeper Jules Harris. The goal marked the first of Hallinan's colligate career.
• The injury bug has hit head coach
Matt Procopio's team especially hard early this season with two key contributors missing significant time in the past couple of matches.
Tori Sprenkle, a usual substitute off of the bench has not appeared since the 2-3 loss to Bloomsburg. During the same match against the Huskies, defender
Kaylie Cutlip tore her ACL and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Prior to the injury, Cutlip had started every match and played in every minute of her colligate career.
ABOUT THE SERIES• Millersville holds a 6-2-1 edge in the all-time series that dates back to 2001. The Marauders won the first ever meeting by a 7-0 score under head coach Trevor Hershey. After playing to a 1-1 tie during the 2013 season, Millersville edged out Clarion 2-0 last year at Memorial Field.
THE LAST MEETING (MILLERSVILLE 2, CLARION 0 (F) - Sept. 24, 2014)• The Marauders opened last year's game firing shots from all distances totaling 18 shots in the match, which kept Clarion goalkeeper Laura Saussol busy. Saussol answered, though, as she saved a career-best 10 shots. It wasn't enough to propel the Golden Eagles to victory as its offense wasn't able to break through the Black & Gold defense. In the 73rd minute, Millersville finally reached the back of the net with one of its shots. Forward
Halie Parker dribbled the ball out wide before firing a cross inside the box that
Kady Yoders beautifully finished. A mere 35 seconds later, it was Yoders again beating Saussol to seal the Marauders 2-0 victory.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS• The Golden Eagles are coming off of their first tie of the season, following a physical double overtime match with the Mercyhurst Lakers, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to forge a 2-2 tie. Brieann Cook tied the game with only 1:13 left in regulation. On offense for the Golden Eagles it was Aaliyah Odom who struck first with a goal at the 58:45 mark from 8 yards out, she was assisted by Marina Kelly. Then with 1:13 left in regulation Brieann Cook fired in the tying goal that sent the Golden Eagles into overtime.
• Clarion has rolled with freshman Krista Mosi as its starting goalkeeper for the 2015 season. Mosi has been solid in net posting 34 saves and her .810 save percentage is the fourth best mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
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