EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – In a season already full of records broken and streaks shattered, the No. 6-ranked Millersville University women's soccer team added another with a 1-0 win over East Stroudsburg University, ending a nine-game losing streak to the Warriors that dated back to 2012.
Morgan Winchock's 3rd minute goal was the difference, as the freshman volleyed the ball home after East Stroudsburg was unable to clear in its own penalty box.
Prior to today's victory, the Marauders were 1-19 in the last 20 games against the Warriors, including the loss of two elimination games in last season's PSAC and NCAA tournaments.
Millersville's program-record winning streak to begin the season now extends to ten games while the team's PSAC record improves to 8-0.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• The Marauders took advantage of their first trip into the East Stroudsburg penalty box when a cross popped straight up into the air in the 3
rd minute of the game. Millersville players swarmed the ball and ESU was unable to clear it cleanly. The ball fell directly to freshman
Morgan Winchock who volleyed a thunderous shot into the back of the net for the first goal of the game.
• Millersville continued to dial up shots from distance. In the 16
th minute,
Michelle Belcher sent a screamer towards frame that came inches away from sneaking into the net but rattled off the crossbar instead.
• The Warriors had a close call of their own in the 25
th minute. Corryn Gamber headed the ball past a diving
Reagan Kolinski but it bounced off the right post and did not equalize the game.
• Millersville carried the 1-0 lead into halftime, almost doubling it in the 47
th minute when
Chandler Garcia drilled the ball forward, finding
Savannah Rennix, but the ensuing shot skimmed over the crossbar.
• East Stroudsburg threatened again in the 59
th minute but Kolinski was once again up to the task, punching away a dangerous free kick and then coming off her line moments later to slide in and kick the ball to safety.
• Winchock almost earned a second goal in the 64
th minute when
Kay Liebl hounded the Warrior defenders, winning back possession and spraying the ball out wide left. Winchock got plenty of power behind the shot but drilled it right towards the keeper.
POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH MATT PROCOPIO
•Â
On finally breaking the losing streak against East Stroudsburg:Â "Feels great to get a much needed result against them. Our effort was great today. We had spells that were good and we managed the other moments well."
•Â
On Morgan Winchock's goal: "Great goal to get from pressing them. Morgan has been great in front of goal and strikes a great ball. We felt she could score from that position, which is a little out of what she has played in the past."
•
On today's performance and looking ahead to Saturday's game against Bloomsburg:Â "Competing for and winning first and second balls was big in this game and will be against Bloomsburg. We also had to manage moments of the game against an experienced team. Bloom is a very experienced team as well."
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• East Stroudsburg out-shot Millersville 17-13 in the game, although both teams sent seven shots on goal. The Warriors also held a 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.
•
Morgan Winchock's goal is her fourth of the season. She is tied for the third-highest total on the team, surpassed only by
Kay Liebl's five and
Michelle Belcher's six goals.
• Winchock, Liebl and Belcher all finished the game with three shots.
Savannah Rennix had two shots while
Bailey Peck and
Lauren Downey finished with one apiece.
• Freshman goalkeeper
Reagan Kolinski was credited with seven saves in the game.
NOTES
• With the win today, Millersville's all-time record against East Stroudsburg improves to 6-27-1.
• Today's clean sheet was the team's second in a row and the eighth time this season the Marauders have held an opponent without a goal.
UP NEXT
• The Marauders return home to Pucillo Field for a showdown with No. 21 Bloomsburg University on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m in a battle of the top two teams in the PSAC East. The Huskies defeated No. 8 West Chester today 2-0 to secure sole possession of second place in the East.
Â