MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – It was a hard-fought PSAC game similar to many that Millersville and Gannon Universities have played in recent years, but this time it was the No. 8 ranked Golden Knights leaving Pucillo Field with a 2-1 victory. It was the Marauders' third loss of the season to nationally-ranked opponents, and they will host No. 17 West Chester this coming Saturday.

Millersville's overall record moves to 3-3 (2-0 in PSAC play.)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
•  The Marauders almost opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a quick counterattack, as Spencer Shortt sent a perfect through ball forward to Frankie Astarita, who timed his run and stayed onside. Astarita had a one-on-one opportunity with Gannon goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood but the shot rose just over the crossbar.

•  Millersville thrilled the home crowd and was able to light up the scoreboard in the 29th minute. A throw-in led to the ball getting to the feet of Jacob Gosselin, who dribbled through three defenders in the box and shot low and hard to the near post for the first goal of the game.

•  Not long after, Gannon would equalize. Anthony Marafioti chipped a cross into the box that Toby Gower finished with his head to make it a 1-1 game.

•  Gannon had a chance to go in front late in the first half. With just five minutes remaining, Alex Lee Yaw snuck behind the defense and found himself one-on-one with Millersville goalkeeper Brady Hochman. Lee Yaw took it well but Hochman made an incredible full-stretch diving save to his right to keep the ball out and keep the game tied 1-1.

• The game remained knotted up at one apiece until the 83rd minute, when a Gannon long throw-in to the penalty box by Lee Yaw deflected off of a Millersville player and bounced into the goal to give Gannon the lead for good.

POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON
• On the message to the team after the game: "It was a very good performance, we just have to take our chances. We said at halftime that it comes down to moments. It was a pretty even game, it's going to come down to a few moments and who either takes the moments or doesn't deal with those moments. We had 3 or 4 really good opportunities in the box that we didn't stick away. They had a few moments that we dealt with and then the one we didn't and that was the difference in the game. That's how fine the margins are when you play and compete against other teams that are competing for championships and playoff berths."

• On some changes to the starting lineup featuring younger players: "It was good. We've had injuries, and we've had to play some guys a lot more than I would've liked. As a coach, I've got to keep half an eye on Saturday's game, so I wanted to give some guys some opportunities and show them we have confidence in them and we need them. Thankfully, they stepped up and they did well. Some guys came into the lineup for the first time this season and some for the first time in their career and they did well. It's about keeping moving on that upward curve and that's what we're about. We can't do it with 12 or 13 guys, we need 16, 17, 18 guys and I think we're getting closer to that with our injured guys coming back."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Jacob Gosselin's goal was his team-leading fifth of the season.
• Gannon held a slight advantage over Millersville in shots (14-12) and shots on goal (8-4.) Millersville took six corner kicks to Gannon's four.
• Anthony Calamia led the team in shots with three, including a free kick in the second half that came close to a goal. Gosselin and Frankie Astarita each finished with two shots.
• Marauders goalkeeper Brady Hochman was called upon to make seven saves in the match.

NOTES
• Millersville is now 6-7 all-time versus the Gannon University Golden Knights.
• Gannon's victory today broke Millersville's two-game shutout streak.

UP NEXT
• The Marauders remain at home to welcome West Chester University on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m. The two teams met twice during the 2018 season. The first was a 2-1 West Chester regular season victory, while the second was the PSAC championship game, where Millersville was victorious after a 4-2 advantage in penalty kicks.