KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Against the No. 1 defense in the nation, Millersville field hockey mounted a stirring fourth quarter charge to send Sunday's PSAC Championship into overtime. But early in extra session, East Stroudsburg's Morgan Mesenbrink scored for a 3-2 Warriors victory.
 
Millersville (16-5) became just the second team all season to score two goals against the Warriors (17-2) and the second to force an overtime game. Millersville struck first with Kate Strickland's 20^th goal of the season—setting the single-season Millersville record. While Strickland's offense has been a constant all season, the goal that forced overtime with 2:24 left in regulation was the first of Taylor Geisel's career. East Stroudsburg entered the game allowing just 0.37 goals per game and had allowed just two goals total in the previous five games.
 
"I am super proud," said Millersville head coach Shelly Behrens. "I couldn't be prouder of what we did today along with the best coaches, who are alums. There were times when we were reactive to things today. Congratulations and credit to ESU. We were there most of the game. Some of the little details got away from us, but the kids' hearts were in it to be sure."
 
The in Sunday's championship was in the middle quarters with East Stroudsburg capitalizing on the few opportunities earned against a tough Millersville defense. Karlie Hall tied the game in the 22^nd minute, scoring on ESU's only shot of the second quarter. The Warriors mustered just two shots in the third quarter but Hanna Lewis' blast off a penalty corner put the Warriors on top.
 
With the Warriors' defense so stingy, Millersville faced a significant challenge to even the score. But the attacking line of Bri Harsh and Pili Zaballa continued push the ball toward the circle. With fewer than three minutes remaining, Zaballa warded off defenders and dribbled along baseline and flipped a pass through traffic. The ball skidded to the opposite side of the cage where Geisel, usually playing defense, punched in the ball for the tie.
 
"Taylor is a utility player for us," said Behrens. "She can play anywhere for us. We moved her up in the midfield to get some extra punch."
 
Momentum stayed in Millersville's favor, and with 1:56 to play, the Marauders earned another penalty corner. The insert went to Morgan Saunders, but her shot from the top of the circle hit hard off the leg pad of keeper Amy Supey and started a break for ESU. The Warriors earned two corners in the game's final minute, including one with no time on the clock, but Millersville shut down both tries, forcing overtime.
 
Mesenbrink's goal came on the only shot of overtime. With the field spread in 7-on-7, Jady van Gils slid a pass across the circle where Mesenbrink and found an opening behind the Millersville defense, ending the game and giving East Stroudsburg its first PSAC title since 2019.
 
It was as evenly played as a game could be as Millersville held an 8-7 edge in shots while ESU held a 7-5 advantage in corners.
 
"They believe in themselves the way that I believe in them," said Behrens. "It's turning that belief into action and following through on the performance. There is a lot we can learn from this. I hope that we've done enough to extend our season. At the end of the day, the decision is out of our hands and we'll wait and see."

NOTES
• Strickland broke the single-season scoring record set in 1994 by Dena Gockley. Strickland now ranks eighth in career goals with 32. Geisel had played in 53 career games before her first career goal. 
• Sunday marked Millersville's first PSAC title game appearance since 2016 and sixth championship game appearance under Behrens. 

MORE FROM BEHRENS
• On Strickland's record-setting season: "Not enough words to describe Strick's season. She is the most selfless player. She is giving to her teammates and wants to see everyone else succeed. At the same time, she wants the ball. She is a class act and has had a great career."

UP NEXT
• Millersville was ranked No. 5 in the most recent NCAA Atlantic Region ranking and will learn its NCAA Tournament fate on Monday at 3 p.m. Millersville's resume includes three wins over East Region top five teams, a victory over No. 4 ranked West Chester and a 2-0 record against No. 1 Shippensburg. All five of Millersville losses have been by one goal and three were in overtime.