Millersville, Pa. – The Millersville University men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against Saint Thomas Aquinas at Pucillo Field Wednesday.
McClain Smith scored the lone goal in the second half, lifting the Marauders back into the game and eventually forcing two scoreless periods of overtime.
The Marauders earned their second-straight double overtime draw to finish the game with a 2-1-2 record while the Spartans recorded their first tie of the season and are now 3-1-1.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
• The Spartans recorded the first goal of the game just passed the ninth minute. Alejandro Camejo crossed the ball across the box for Federico Scaglioni, who shot from the right corner of the box into the far left side of the goal.
• Down by a goal, the Marauders created more chances than St. Thomas Aquinas the rest of the way. Finally, in the 70th minute, Millersville equalized.
Kyle Finsterbush's throw-in from the right side of the field found
Spencer Shortt's head. He redirected the ball to the left side of the box where
McClain Smith collected it and chipped the ball into the back of the net.
• The Marauders had a chance to get up on the board 22 minutes into the second half on a corner kick by
Chase Flickinger. It found the head of Finsterbush but it had too much on it and went over the crossbar.
• A key defensive moment came in the 66th minute when a Spartan headed a shot past Millersville goalkeeper
Darian McCauley.
Nathan Maynard, however, sprinted toward the goal, leaped and cleared the ball over the crossbar, saving a sure go-ahead goal.
• Both teams defended well in the second half, limiting any real chances. In the final seven minutes, Millersville recorded a corner kick and
Jacob Gosselin's shot sailed wide.
• Millersville produced two shots to the Spartan's zero in the first overtime with a
Jaxson Burns shot being blocked and a Gosselin shot missing just wide. In the second overtime, Flickinger and Burns were both turned away by keeper Jack Nicholson. Burns' header came from point-blank range and was only deflected by Nicholson's cleats. With time expiring,
Kyle Finsterbush attempted a header in a crowded box, and it flew over the crossbar.
HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON QUOTES
• "It was not a good performance. We were not prepared to play today and didn't show the passion, intensity or togetherness required to get a result. Very disappointing and not a result or performance we can be satisfied with."
• "We need to take a look at ourselves and learn from it and get back to doing the things that will allow us to be successful. An honest self-evaluation is most important then getting back to work and playing to our principles."
• "Mac [
McClain Smith] always puts in an honest hard-working effort. He gave us a good lift at the right time with his goal, and he brought a good work rate as well".
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
• Junior goalkeeper
Darian McCauley made one shot with the help of his defense in front of him while seeing a total of six shots.
• Four Marauders totaled three shots each. The list included Finsterbush, Flickinger, Burns and Gosselin.
• Smith scored the third goal of his career. Finsterbush recorded the fifth assist of his career and second this season. Shortt produced his second career assist.
NOTES
• Millersville had three shots in each of the overtime periods.
• The Marauders had 10 corner kick opportunities. Fouls were nearly even with Millersville totaling 16 to St. Thomas Aquinas' 14.
• Millersville improved its shots per game total to 13.6 while opponents average 9.5.
UP NEXT
• The Marauders have their first weekend off and travel to No. 15 Mercy on Monday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m.
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