Big second half propels men's soccer past Shippensburg

Saturday, October 8

Shippensburg, PA

4:00 PM

Millersville University

6-3-4, 3-2-3

Shippensburg

3-5-2, 0-5-2

Millersville

Shippensburg

Big second half propels men's soccer past Shippensburg

10/8/2022 7:02:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Jeremy Joseph, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Millersville men's soccer team scored three second-half goals en route to a 4-1 victory over Shippensburg on the road Saturday afternoon. With the win, Millersville increased its point total to 12 in a tight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern division. The Marauders are tied with Lock Haven for the No. 4 spot and sit one point behind East Stroudsburg, who currently holds the No. 3 spot. The top three teams in each division (East and West) qualify for postseason play.

Millersville (6-3-4, 3-2-3) found the back of the net early on as Sasha Rabala assisted Aaron Maynard for a go-ahead score two minutes into play -- Rabala tracked down a Ronnie Minges' blocked free kick and lobbed it towards the Shippensburg net where Maynard headed it over the Raider keeper to give 'Ville an early advantage.

Shippensburg (3-5-2, 0-5-2) would even the score at the 30:29 mark when Harry Kershaw sent a pass to Omario Duncan for an equalizer. Both teams were held scoreless during the final 15 minutes of first-half play, leading to a tie at the break.

The Marauders caught fire in the second half, and it all started with a Spencer Shortt score to break the tie. Christian Vorchheimer connected with Shortt, who beat out a defender and sent a rocket past the Raider keeper to convert what proved to be Saturday's game-winning goal.

Millersville would tack on two more goals down the stretch, coming from the right foots of Bob Hennessey and Matt Lynch, to extend its lead to three.

The Marauders have five games remaining on their regular season schedule, four being PSAC East matchups.

POSTGAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON
Overall thoughts on the win: "Overall, a much better performance and a good step forward at the right time. We made several changes leading into today and had to make one or two more during the game. Once those adjustments settled in, we started to move the ball better and regain some confidence. I particularly enjoyed our bravery on the ball today. We took people on and we're positive and it's something we have lacked the last few games. It's a small step forward so we are at least moving in the right direction now."

On the second half offensive success: "Our attack was dangerous in the first half as well, but we lacked the composure and quality to turn our potential into quality testing shots on target. That was the difference in the second half. We made their goalkeeper work harder and converted potential chances into actual goals. We now must sustain that momentum into future games."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Millersville outshot Shippensburg 20-5, including a 10-4 edge on-frame.
• The Marauders drew eight corners, while the Raiders earned three.
• Shortt recorded a team-high five shots, three landing on-goal.
• Bobby Bosch made three saves in the win.

UP NEXT
Millersville faces off with Shepherd on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at Pucillo Field. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. on the PSAC Digital Network.