West Chester, Pa. –
Jaxson Burns buried the penalty kick and the Millersville University men's soccer team stormed the field after winning the 2018 Pennsylvania State Conference (PSAC) Championship against top-seeded West Chester in a penalty kick shootout on Rockwell Field Sunday afternoon. After playing to a scoreless, 1-1 draw through 110 minutes, the Marauders claimed the shootout with a 4-2 score.
Burns not only hit the clinching PK, but he also scored the game-tying goal, earning the title of the PSAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
The championship is the second in Millersville's history and its first since 2011. Sunday's victory also lands the Marauders the automatic qualifying berth from the PSAC into next week's NCAA Division II Tournament. The full tournament field will be released on Monday, Nov. 5 in a selection show on NCAA.com at 6 p.m.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• In the first round of penalty kicks, the Golden Rams converted their opening kick to get West Chester on the board. Millersville senior
Chase Flickinger responded to even the shootout at 1-1. Junior goalkeeper
Darian McCauley gave the Marauders the advantage by diving to his right and stopping the Golden Rams' second kick. The momentum was on Millersville side when sophomore
Nathan Maynard converted his kick, putting the Marauders up 2-1.
• With Millersville leading 2-1 heading into the third round, freshman
Anthony Calamia and West Chester's Daniel Grindrod both converted. But McCauley denied West Chester Eric Greer's fourth-round shot with a diving save to his left. That put the Marauders one conversion away from the title.
• Burns, who scored in both the semifinals finals and totaled a team-leading five game-winning goals, walked up to the ball and hit a low, skidding shot inside the left post for the clincher.
• The lone goal in regulation for the Marauders while trailing 1-0 in the 79th minutes. Burns found a loose ball in front of the goal and tapped the ball into the net, tying the game at 1-1.
• The Golden Rams struck first in the 37th minute. Nicholas Meola sent a pass into the center of the box and Colin Muller scored high over the outstretched hand of McCauley.
HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON QUOTES
• "[Millersville's five previous overtime games] undoubtedly helped. We have gained lots of experience this season and have been through so many ups and downs that prepared us for these exact moments. This season was challenging with the toughest schedule in the region, but we have been testing ourselves from day one and it was all to prepare ourselves for this moment and this game today."
• "It feels fantastic. I am thrilled for my seniors after losing two other finals. They deserved it so much for all the work they have put in. I am also thrilled for our alumni who have all played a part in getting the program to this point."
• "After not being recognized as an all-conference player after the amount of game-winners [
Jaxson Burns] had this season, I think today was a perfect redemption. He got the tying goal and winning penalty kick. He has been such a valuable player for us throughout his career and this is a great honor to end his PSAC career with."
• "First, we are going to enjoy this feeling for a while then after the selections come out tomorrow we will get refocused. The NCAA Tournament is very special and not something many student-athletes get to experience. I am just happy we get to provide that experience to our players. We will go into the tournament confident and ready to compete for the regional championship."
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
• McCauley made three saves prior to the shootout.
• Freshman
Brenden Kavetski recorded the team-high four shots.
•
Nicholas Leinbach, Flickinger and Burns all recorded two shots each.
NOTES
• The Marauders have now earned their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in the past 10 years, all under the direction of Widdowson. Millersville scored its first win over West Chester since 2016.
• Millersville had a total of 10 corner kicks compared the West Chester's four.
• As is always the case when the Marauders and Golden Rams square off, the match was a physical battle for the entirety of the contest with a total of 27 fouls called.
UP NEXT
• Millersville has officially punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II Tournament. The full tournament field will be announced on Monday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m.
FOLLOW THE MARAUDERS
•
Be the first to know what's going on with the Marauders -- Follow @VilleMarauders on Twitter and Instagram, become a fan of Millersville Athletics on Facebook, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To support the Marauders, join the Black & Gold Club.
