BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – In a season filled with historic moments, the Millersville University women's soccer team added another on Thursday afternoon in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament. The fourth-seeded Marauders defeated fifth-seeded East Stroudsburg 3-1 to win the program's first NCAA Tournament game ever in just two all-time appearances in the bracket.

It was the fourth time that Millersville and East Stroudsburg had faced off in 2019 and the third time since Nov. 6. The teams have now met seven times since the beginning of the 2018 season. East Stroudsburg eliminated the Marauders from the 2018 NCAA Tournament but now Millersville has returned the favor thanks to goals from Lauren Downey, Michelle Belcher and Kylie Sullivan.

Downey got Millersville off to a quick start in the 2^nd minute, when Kay Liebl sent a corner kick directly to the far post, allowing Downey to get a touch on it for the early lead. That was the only goal of the first half, but ESU equalized in the 54^th minute when Monica Wood scored in a similar fashion to Downey.

The game remained tied until the 83^rd minute, when Liebl again sent a pinpoint cross into the box, this time for freshman Michelle Belcher, who headed the ball in for the 2-1 lead. Kylie Sullivan added a breakaway goal in the 87^th minute to put the game away and advance the Marauders to the second round where they will face Bloomsburg University. That match is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• It didn't take long for Millersville to strike. A Kay Liebl corner kick in the 2^nd minute soared towards the far post and landed amongst a sea of both attackers and defenders. Lauren Downey was finally able to send it on its way into the net, past Warriors' keeper Mauri Jackson, to open the scoring and give Millersville a 1-0 lead.
• In the 54^th minute East Stroudsburg used a very similar situation to tie the game up. Haley Skove sent in a low cross from the right side of penalty box that took a deflection off a defender and fell right to Monica Wood, who directed it in to make it 1-1.
• The game opened up after the equalizer and both teams created multiple chances. Millersville goalkeeper Reagan Kolinski made an incredible save in the 79^th minute, shutting down the angle and diving down to her right to stop a Corryn Gamber chance on the half-volley.
• End-to-end action continued, and in the 83^rd minute Kay Liebl beat her defender near the corner flag on the far side and sent a beautiful left-footed cross into the box. Downey and Michelle Belcher were waiting for it, and it was Belcher who  got her head on it and buried into the net to put the Marauders in front once again.
• Some frantic defending ensued for Millersville, and in the 87^th minute, freshman Kylie Sullivan was able to run onto a clearance and sprint past two ESU defenders, dribbling her way down the length of the field to create a one-on-one chance with Mauri Jackson. Jackson came off her line to challenge Sullivan, but she expertly chipped it over the keeper to give the Marauders a two-goal cushion and seal the victory.
 
POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH MATT PROCOPIO
• On winning the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament game: "It's an amazing feeling. I am very proud of these girls. They have worked very hard and battled all season long. However, this doesn't happen without the efforts of everyone who has been in our program past and present. We talked about our opportunity to make history and you could see it in their effort and energy today which shows you how much it means to them."
 
• On having to face East Stroudsburg four times in 2019: "Very challenging! They're a very tough and talented team. Every game we have played against them this year and last has been a battle. We've had to make adjustments after each game. The girls were great today in how they continued to battle through."
 
• On looking ahead to the second round on Saturday: "We will enjoy this win and should be confident and excited moving forward. The main thing will be taking care of our bodies and properly preparing for Bloomsburg. They will be well-rested and will undoubtedly come out ready to play. They're a very talented team so we must be prepared to battle again."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• East Stroudsburg out-shot Millersville 15-12 but both teams had seven shots on goal.
• Kay Liebl's two assists in the game give her eight on the season, equaling her total from the 2018 season and now leaves her just two assists shy of Becky Morris' all-time program assists record of 20.
• Lauren Downey's goal was her second of the season. Michelle Belcher's goal was her ninth of 2019, which is now a Millersville record for a freshman, besting Melissa Cameron's total of eight that was set in 2003.
• Freshman goalkeeper Reagan Kolinski was credited with six saves in the game.

NOTES
• Millersville's all-time record versus East Stroudsburg now moves to 3-22-1 and the season series moves to 3-1.
• The Marauders have now scored 49 goals in 2019, two shy of the single-season program record of 51 set in 2001.
• Millersville has now won 15 games this season, setting a new program record.
• It is impossible for Millersville to play East Stroudsburg again during the 2019 season.

UP NEXT
• The Marauders remain at Bloomsburg University to face the host Huskies in the second round of the 2019 Division II NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.