MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Millersville men's soccer team ended its match Wednesday night in a draw with Shippensburg, 1-1. This marks the Marauders' second consecutive draw at home and second since the NCAA eliminated overtime from regular-season play – Millersville finished the 2021 regular season with no draws.
Despite the outcome, 'Ville (3-1-2, 1-0-1 PSAC East) controlled the majority of Wednesday night's match, outshooting the Raiders (2-1-1, 0-1-1 PSAC East) 18-6, 6-3 on frame and more than doubling their corner kick opportunities, 9-4.
Steve Widdowson's group dominated possession throughout the match which led to their first goal of the evening in the 37'. The goal was set up by
Devven Frey, who intercepted an attempted clear from a Raider defender and left the ball for
Richy Valverde in the Shippensburg box. Valverde was then able to send the ball off a defender and into the net, causing an own-goal and giving 'Ville the lead.
The Marauders continued to own possession in second-half action, outshooting the Raiders 9-1 until the 80'. Shippensburg's Harry Kershaw was able to get a clean cross off that connected with Seth Crabbe to even the score at one with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Bob Hennessey created a chance for the Marauders two minutes later that resulted in a
Christian Vorchheimer rocket from the top of Shippensburg's box, which Raider keeper, Cody Willoughby just got his gloves on to send it over the top post.
Neither team recorded a shot in the final seven minutes of action, leading to the draw.
POSTGAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON
Overall thoughts on the play: "Very disappointing result tonight. We did more then enough to win the game but it's not enough to create opportunities, we need the courage and fortitude to capitalize on those opportunities. We lacked ruthlessness in front of goal then lacked maturity in our decision making around the field. We gave away too many unnecessary fouls and kept providing opportunities for Shippensburg which they eventually took advantage of to get the equalizing goal."
On tough conference games ahead: "We need to use that pain to drive us into that run of games knowing that we have to play between the boxes as well as we did tonight and then add the final touch in front of goal. We did a lot of good things tonight but in the end it's results that count and we need to make sure our performances lead to positive results."
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Vorchheimer led the Marauders in shots with four, and shots on goal with two.
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Bobby Bosch recorded two saves in the draw and moved to 3-1-2 on the season.
UP NEXT
The Marauders face off with reigning PSAC East champion Lock Haven on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. at Pucillo Field.
