WILMINGTON, Del. – After a draw and loss in the last week, Millersville men's soccer rebounded Saturday with a 4-2 road win over Chestnut Hill.
It was a strong offensive effort for the Marauders (2-1-1), who scored their most goals in a match this season after totaling two in the previous two matches combined. Millersville piled up 20 shots. placing 11 on goal.
The Marauders, however, needed two late goals from
Bob Hennessey (55') and
Richy Valverde (73') to secure the victory. The teams traded goals and stood at a 2-2 tie until
Mike Kreider found Hennessey for the game-winner.
Zander Leik started the scoring, beating the keeper in the 13th minute. Fewer than three minutes later, Chestnut Hill answered with a score from Juan Molina.
Jake Altimore retaliated for the Marauders in the 39th minute, and they took a 2-1 lead into the break. But just 30 seconds into the second half, Molina and Juan Ortiz connected for the second time. The tie lasted just over eight minutes as Kreider and Henessey put the Marauders on top for good. In the 73rd minute,
Matt Lynch found Valverde for a two-goal lead and some breathing room for the Marauders.
POSTGAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH STEVE WIDDOWSON
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Thoughts on the victory: "It was a good step in the right direction. We let ourselves down defensively too often and that remains a concern, but we were able to make some positive strides in other areas. Our movement and possession were significantly better and most importantly, our energy and work rate was much improved from Wednesday."
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On success on the offensive end: "Simply the energy and work rate. More players were showing a commitment to make runs off the ball and get into dangerous areas. We were able to disrupt the defense with that movement, then capitalize on those spaces we created with our better possession."
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The message to the team heading into PSAC East play: "Today was a good response after Wednesday, but we still need to improve as we head into PSAC play. We cannot get ahead of ourselves after today's win. We get back to work on Monday and focus on improving further in Wednesday's game against Shepherd."
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Henessey and Leik both scored their first goal of the season. Altimore and Kreider both picked up their first assist of 2022.
• Millersville keeper
Bobby Bosch made one save. Chestnut Hill's Stephen Connor stopped seven shots.
UP NEXT
• Millersville is on the road for the fourth time in five matches Wednesday, Sept. 7, starting division play at Shepherd.