MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Millersville men's soccer team scored eight goals on Tuesday afternoon en route to a shutout victory over Goldey-Beacom. 'Ville's dominate performance featured the program's most goals in a match since 1999, Spencer Shortt breaking the all-time assist record and a handful of Marauders recording career-firsts.

Shortt, who assisted twice in the first half and scored the Marauders' eighth goal, passed up Sean Davies ('02) as the program's all-time assist leader with 31 in his four-year career. The forward sent out 12 assists from 2018-2019 before recording 12 in 2021, which led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and tied for fifth in NCAA Division II. He has sent out six assists this season -- ranking second in the PSAC and currently in a tie for second in the nation behind just three other players who've recorded seven.

"Spencer has always provided a great attacking impetus for the team," said head coach Steve Widdowson. "While his goal-scoring has often been critical to our success, the fact he has broken the assist record shows his willingness to support his teammates and be unselfish. This has been his biggest growth in that he is happy for anyone to score as long as the team is doing well."

Along with Shortt's milestone, the Marauders poured in the program's most goals since 1999 when the Black and Gold defeated Columbia Union, 11-1. The win also saw newcomers record career-firsts as freshmen, Gage Meckley, Sasha Rabala and Fallou Cisse all notched their first career point in the win. Goalkeeper, Travis Holiday earned his first career start, win and shutout in goal -- making a respectable five saves.

"A big objective today was to share out minutes, provide some starts for players and provide minutes to guys who haven't played much recently," said Widdowsom. "That is so important over the season to balance player workloads, but also to develop players and provide them with much needed experience."

Millersville scored five first-half goals, which were credited to Aaron Maynard, Christian Bowles, Matt Lynch, Meckley and Rabala. Widdowson's group then tacked on three in the second for good measure – Zander Leik and Shortt each scored, while Goldey-Beacom recorded an own-goal for the third.

"Obviously satisfied with today's performance," said Widdowson. "We pretty much accomplished everything I was hoping to achieve, and I'm glad we were able to show a good ruthless streak to kill the game off early."

Following today's win the Marauders only have one additional non-conference match on their schedule. They will visit Molloy on Wednesday, Oct. 19 for a regional match that is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. .
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• 'Ville outshot Goldey-Beacom 18-8, including an 10-5 edge on-goal.
• The Marauders drew six corners, while holding the Lightning to four.
• Leik and Rabala each sent a team-high two shots on-frame.  
• In addition to Shortt's two assists, Cisse, Leik and Rabala all recorded one of their own.

UP NEXT
Millersville will now focus on a home match against Bloomsburg on Saturday, October 1. The match is slated to begin at 4 p.m. on the 'Ville Sports Network.