MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Millersville men's soccer team started right where they left off at Pucillo Field Thursday night, downing the visiting Chestnut Hill, 3-1. This was the Marauders first home win since November 19, 2019 when they defeated Gannon in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament championship. 

This win brings Steve Widdowson to 9-3-2 all time in season openers, and the Marauders to a 1-0 start in 2021. 

The team isn't done at home this weekend though, with a 3 p.m. match on Sunday against District of Columbia. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• Millersville netminder, Brady Hochman, allowed only one goal on the night and got the win for the Marauders. The senior got the first start of the season after appearing in only three games in 2019. 
• Millersville (1-0) saw their first goal of the season come in the 20th minute off the foot of midfielder, Bob Hennessey. The junior took a pass from Spencer Shortt and sent it into the back of the net to give the Marauders a 1-0 lead. 
• The Marauders struck again in the 74th minute, when senior Jadon Courtney sent a beautiful ball over a majority of the Chestnut Hill defenders to Matthew Lynch in the right side of the box. Lynch then took the ball past the last Griffin defender and scored to put the Marauders up 2-0. 
• Just six minutes after the Lynch goal, Chestnut Hill made things interesting. Lucho Narcisi scored a goal to bring the Griffins within one with 10 minutes to go in the match. 
•  In the 88th minute of the match Shortt, who is a key returner from the 2019 PSAC tournament championship team, capped off the home opening win with a goal of his own. The senior tapped a ball in the left side of the net off of a pass from Jakob Braman. 

POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON
• On tonight's performance: "Good to get the result and start our journey. Our performances need to be better, but we also need to realize every game is going to be tough. We will improve over time as confidence grows from experience. We will take one game at a time, but we have the first one down as a win and that's the most important thing for now. The quality and rhythm will come later."

• On the energy from the team after winning their first game in over a year: "The energy was pretty good, but overall I think everyone knows we can play much better. There was definitely too much anxiety today and a lack of composure, but that's probably to be expected after not playing for so long and having so many players playing their first collegiate soccer game."

• On the impressive play from senior forward Spencer Shortt : "Spencer is one of our more senior players, so it's important they step up in these early games while our younger players find their feet and gain confidence. Spencer was dangerous throughout the game, and played a very solid game."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Millersville out-shot Chestnut Hill 21-5, including 7-1 edge on frame. The Marauders also held a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks.
• Shortt recorded a goal and an assist in his first match since 2019.
• Anthony Calamia led the Marauders in shots with six. Shortt was just behind him with four. 
• The Marauders defense allowed only one shot on goal.  

NOTES
•  With this win the Marauders have taken a 1-0 lead all time against Chestnut Hill, with this being the first meeting between the two schools.  
• This match was a chippy one that included four yellow cards and a red card from Matt Fuentes on Chestnut Hill. Captain Nik Provazzo was the only Millersville player to receive a card on the night. 

UP NEXT
• The Marauders are back at home on Sunday afternoon to face off with District of Columbia. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.