ERIE, Pa. – Millersville men's soccer will play in their third consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Final and fifth in the last six seasons following a 2-0 victory over No. 1 seed Mercyhurst. Before today's match, Mercyhurst hadn't fell since Sep. 29 in what was their first PSAC West contest of the season against Seton Hill, since then they've went 8-0-2 while outscoring opponents 35-6. Tonight was just the second time the Lakers were shutout this season. The Marauders controlled the match from a defensive standpoint, holding the top offensive team in the PSAC to zero goals. This hasn't been an easy task for most programs as the Lakers scored 54 goals coming into this matchup, and have the top scorer in the conference in Sidney Warden, who is also the No. 3 scorer in the nation. 

The Marauders will now move on to play Gannon on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. in Erie. This will be a rematch of the 2019 PSAC Championship, as the Marauders defeated Gannon 1-0 in that game just under two years ago. The two programs also faced off in the 2016 PSAC Quarterfinals with Millersville taking a 2-0 victory. The PSAC Title game will be available to stream on the PSAC Digital Network. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
 • The first half is when keeper Bobby Bosch saw most of his action, as three of his four saves came in the first 45 minutes of play. The PSAC West Rookie of the Year, Dylan Sumner recorded the first shot on goal in the 11' off a free kick right in from of the 'Ville box that Bosch was able to get in front of to keep the match scoreless. 
 •Millersvillle was able to put the pressure back on Mercyhurst as they recorded the next two shots on frame. One coming in the 26' from captain, Matteo Adiletta and the other coming from freshman Richy Valverde in the 38'. Neither got past graduate student Jonathan Gomes, who ranks first in the PSAC in shutouts per game. 
 • Just before the five minute mark in the first half Bob Hennessey drilled a ball toward the Mercyhurst box that deflected out off a Laker defender setting up a Marauder corner. Shortt sent a corner in that would be headed out towards the top of Mercyhurst's box to Valverde. The freshman would send the ball through five Lakers and the legs of Gomes to give Millersville a 1-0 lead heading into the break. 
 • The second half of play was all defense, as the Marauders only allowed one shot on goal in the 45 minutes. Every time there was a white jersey with the ball it seemed two yellows were there to take it away. 
 • The highlight of the second half came in the 85' of play. Bob Hennessey connected on a cross with the Marauders' offensive leader throughout the season, Spencer Shortt. The redshirt junior received the cross and tapped it into the left side of the Laker net and immediately celebrated with his teammates knowing he was headed to his third PSAC Title game in a row. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• 40' | Valverde was on the right end of a corner being headed out by a Mercyhurst defender. The freshman sent the loose ball through five Lakers and four Marauders in a crowded box that went directly through the keeper's legs and in. 
• 85' | Anthony Calamia found a streaking Hennessey down the right sideline, the redshirt sophomore then took the ball to the right side of the Laker box and sent a pass to Shortt who tapped it in the net with ease. 

POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON
• On tonight's play: "I thought it was a superb performance today. We had a plan and it worked perfectly. However, giving the team a plan is one thing. The team going out and executing is much harder and the team performed excellently today."

• On the defensive performance: "The team defense was fantastic. A focus on defensive organization and taking pride in defending has been a foundation in our program for a long time. In playoffs it's even more important and every player contributed defensively today which is how it should be."

• On having the opportunity to win a third consecutive PSAC Title: "I'd like to say we aren't talking about that but I'd be lying. Of course it would be an unbelievable achievement. We have given ourselves that opportunity. Now it's up to us to recover, plan and execute again and of course anything is possible!" 


INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Millersville out-shot the Lakers 12-10, including 6-4 edge on frame. 
• Mercyhurst had six corner kicks, while 'Ville had four. 
• Bosch recorded four pivotal saves in the match. 
• Shortt and Valverde each had two shots on goal. Calamia and Adiletta were just behind them with one each. 
• Mike Kreider and Calamia received yellow cards in the match.
NOTES
•  Friday's win marks Head Coach Steve Widdowson's third straight title appearance, fifth in six seasons. The last team in the PSAC to compete in three consecutive title games was Mercyhurst from 2012-14. 
•  Today's win brought the Marauders to one game under .500 all time against the Lakers at 8-9. It also extended their winning streak over Mercyhurst to four games. 

UP NEXT
• The Marauders will look for a three-peat on Sunday, Nov. 14 in Erie, Pa. against Gannon. The match is set to start at 1 p.m. on the PSAC Digital Network.