MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The sheer physicality of PSAC play can take a toll on a team from game-to-game, but the Millersville men's soccer team used set pieces to create two goals and survived a late flurry from Shippensburg University to secure a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night. Jacob Gosselin continues to score at an incredible rate, notching his tenth goal of the season. Frank Astarita added his fourth of the season to give the Black and Gold the cushion they needed to win.
 
The Marauders remain unbeaten in PSAC play with a 6-0-2 conference record (8-4-2 overall) and have won three straight PSAC games. Millersville is also ranked fourth in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division II Atlantic Region Poll, behind other PSAC opponents West Chester (No. 3) and Gannon (No. 1.)
 
The grind continues this Saturday for the Marauders as they travel to West Chester for a critical match. The Golden Rams are ranked No. 20 nationally and lead Millersville by just two points in the PSAC East standings.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• Millersville senior goalkeeper Darian McCauley was called into action early on to make two incredible reaction saves. First in the 5^th minute, when Seth Crabbe launched a shot directly at McCauley, who parried it away. In the 9^th minute, an Alex Petty shot from the top of the box deflected right off of Crabbe's head, altering the flight of the ball. McCauley has started moving to his right to stop the original shot, and alertly dove back to his left to get an outstretched hand on the ball to push it away.
• The Marauders created a superb chance in the 30^th minute. Spencer Shortt blazed down the right wing, drawing all the attention from the defense before sending a perfectly weighted cross into the box for Nathan Erb. Despite a very inviting open net, Erb's shot was pulled just wide to the left and the game remained scoreless.
• Erb would atone for his earlier miss in the 35^th minute. A Matteo Adiletta corner kick was delivered directly to Erb's head. He sent it with velocity towards goal, and a heads-up toe tap from Jacob Gosselin redirected the ball into the net to put the Marauders up 1-0.
• The Marauders would strike again in the 50^th minute from another set piece. The short corner kick was sent quickly to Mike Kreider, who whipped in a devastating cross to Frank Astarita at the back post. Shippensburg keeper Bradley Brickman and his defenders attempted to clear it, but Astarita's persistence paid off, as he was able to boot the ball over the goal line. The assistant referee confirmed the entire ball crossed over the line to make it a 2-0 game.
•  Shippensburg made it interesting late in the game, when Seth Crabbe was fouled in the box in the 86^th minute. Colin Marks stepped up the spot to take the penalty shot and converted it, bringing the Raiders within one goal and causing a frantic last three minutes of the game. Millersville held on to claim the 2-1 win.

POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON
• On tonight's performance: "The main takeaway is we have to be better. We started slow again and did not have enough intensity. Then we didn't close the game out well. We need better decision-making and to be more thorough in certain areas."

• On the challenge of playing PSAC opponents twice in the regular season: "I think motivation and being complacent can be an issue when you have won the first game. Overall though it's just being so familiar with each other so the second games can be tougher because you know each other better."

• On looking ahead to Saturday's game against West Chester: "The initial focus is to recover. Then we will work on our game plan and how we want to play on Saturday. This is a massive game and we need to be ready mentally, physically, technically and tactically."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Millersville out-shot Shippensburg 16-6, including 8-2 in the second half. The Marauders also held a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks.
• Nathan Erb's assist was his first of 2019 and matches his season total from 2018. Mike Kreider's assist was his second of the season.
• Spencer Shortt's four shots led the Marauders. Gosselin and Bob Hennessey were just behind with three shots apiece.
• Marauders goalkeeper Darian McCauley was credited with four saves in the game.

NOTES
•  With the win the Marauders have swept the season series with Shippensburg and improve to 31-26-7 all-time versus the Raiders.
• Jacob Gosselin scored his team-leading tenth goal of 2019. He has now scored at least one goal in four of the last five games and trails Lock Haven's Andrea DiSomma by three goals for the PSAC lead. Gosselin's ten goal total is the highest by a Marauder since Chase Flickinger scored ten in 2017, and prior to that was Jaime Vazquez with 19 goals in 2015.
•  Millersville has ended its four-game homestand with a 3-1 overall record, with the only loss (to No. 2 Adelphi) a non-conference one.

UP NEXT
• The Marauders travel to West Chester on Saturday, Oct. 26. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. The two teams played to a 2-2 draw after two overtime periods at Pucillo Field back on Sept. 28.