MILLERSVILLE, Pa. –  The pursuit of perfection has come to a close for the No. 6-ranked Millersville University women's soccer team after today's 2-1 loss to No. 21 Bloomsburg University. It is the first time the team has been defeated in 2019. Millersville held the greater share of possession (63 percent) and held higher totals in shots and corner kicks but could not break through the Bloomsburg defense for the majority of the game.

Lauren Downey finally found the back of the net for Millersville in the 87th minute, bringing the Marauders within a goal and causing a frenetic end to the game, but the Huskies held on to secure the victory and tie themselves with Millersville at the top of the PSAC East Standings. Both teams' records now move to 10-1 overall (8-1 in PSAC play.)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• Bloomsburg opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, when Megan Callan got free down the right wing and crossed for Lauren Hoelke at the far post. She finished from close range to put the Huskies in front.
• Millersville almost equalized in the 35th minute. Chandler Garcia made a run of her own down the right side of the field and crossed it for Kay Liebl, but there was not enough space to get off a proper shot and the Bloomsburg defense held.
•  The Marauders offense threatened again in the 53rd minute, with two back-to-back chances. Kylie Sullivan smashed a shot that just barely skimmed over the crossbar and moments later, she and Liebl entered into a footrace to a loose ball with Bloomsburg goalkeeper Jenna Hawkins. Hawkins barely won the race and secured the ball before the two forwards could pounce on it.
• Bloomsburg earned a corner kick in the 68th minute and made the most of it. Hoelke trotted over to the corner flag and delivered the cross to the head of Maggie McDonald, who nodded it towards goal. The ball rattled around and allowed Christina Podpora to finish from close range for the 2-0 lead.
• The Marauders finally broke through in the 87th minute, when Calista Paolino picked out Lauren Downey on the left wing. Downey put on a show, cutting inside into the penalty box and delivering a brilliant finish inside the far post. 

POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH MATT PROCOPIO
• On today's performance: "I thought we played well. The result doesn't show how we played and they're a good and experienced team that capitalized on their chances. Unfortunate we could not get a better result but that's a part of the game."

• On how the first goal changed the game: "The first goal changed the game for both teams, of course, since we now needed to get one back. I don't think they played much different other than they may have taken a few less risks."

• On moving forward after the win streak and preparing for the second half of the season: "We talked after the game and they know how we feel about the performance; we played well but didn't get the result. The key is to learn from today and use it as fuel to move forward. It was a great run and now we will look to start another one. We'll enjoy the break and get back into next week."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Millersville held the 13-7 advantage on total shots in the game, with both teams sending four towards goal. The Marauders took more corner kicks (10-4.)
• Lauren Downey's goal was her first of the season and second career goal for Millersville.
• Calista Paolino's assist was her first of the season and ties her assist total from the 2018 season.
• Freshman Kylie Sullivan led the Marauders in shots with four (two on goal.) Downey, Paige Mancini and Morgan Winchock all fired two shots throughout the afternoon.
• Freshman goalkeeper Reagan Kolinski was credited with two saves in the game.

NOTES
• With the loss, Millersville's all-time record versus Bloomsburg moves to 5-23-5
• The loss also marks the end of the Marauders' ten-game winning streak, which was a program record to both begin a season and longest streak overall.

UP NEXT
• The Marauders return home to Pucillo Field on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. to face Lock Haven University. Millersville defeated the Bald Eagles 5-0 earlier this season.