Slow start dooms Marauders against No. 6 West Chester

Thursday, October 17

Millersville, PA

6:00 PM

Millersville University

(6-6, 2-3)

West Chester

(8-4, 2-2)

West Chester

Millersville

Slow start dooms Marauders against No. 6 West Chester

10/17/2024 9:38:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: Connor Glunt, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. — The Millersville field hockey squared off against No. 6 West Chester on Thursday night for its first game in eight days, but the Marauders slow start was too much to overcome in the 3–1 loss.

The Golden Rams applied the pressure early, but unlike other times this season, the Marauders were unable to weather the early storm. Six minutes into the game, Jasmine Miller got West Chester on the board off an assist from Adriana Palumbo to start the scoring. Millersville responded at the start of the second with some offense of its own, but Emma Ruley's shot was stopped by Ryan Curley to keep the Golden Rams in front. The Marauders had another chance later in the quarter off the stick of Emily Buss, but her attempt went just wide of the right post. Shortly after that play, West Chester went down to the offensive end of the field and created a penalty corner. Millie Gallagher cashed in on the opportunity with a helper from Veerle Hersman to put West Chester up 2–0 at halftime.

After an uneventful third quarter, the Golden Rams added to their lead in the opening moments of the final frame. Gianna Funari found Miller for her second goal of the game just two minutes in to extend West Chester's lead to three. Millersville found its offense as the game went on, getting a goal off a corner late in the fourth. Erin Esterhuizen took a pass off the corner and deked towards the middle before finding Paige Webster to the left of the goal. Webster took advantage of the space given to her and was able to quickly shoot it past Curley to spoil the shutout. However, Millersville was unable to get anything else on the scoreboard, falling 3–1.

The Marauders now stand at 6–6 overall but 2–3 in PSAC play. Millersville has one last non-conference matchup left on its schedule, with its next game against Limestone at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Biemesderfer Stadium.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

The Millersville goal was Webster's third of the year. The junior entered the year with just one career goal, which scored in her freshman season.
Esterhuizen's assist was her first point of the season and the first assist of her career.
West Chester outshot and outchanced Millersville, leading 11–3 in shots on goal, 17–5 in shots, and 8–2 in penalty corners.

POSTGAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH SHELLY BEHRENS

Opening thoughts on the game: "I thought we were very passive tonight. I have not seen before, and it's disappointing in how we came out and started. I thought the third quarter was a bit better and that the fourth quarter was fantastic from us, but you cannot play in the PSAC and come out and sit back."
On whether the time off affected the start: "Not at all. I'm not sure what the reason was, but we have to go and prepare for Saturday and prepare for PSAC play."
On differences between the first game against West Chester: "They're a good team. They're fast, they're skilled, and they are who they are. I think we usually give them a much better game. I was happy to use a couple people off the bench, bringing Jillian Kringe back in was good, and I thought Myah Yesko, Caitlin Wassermann, and Morgan Lennon all helped us out. Paige was in the right spot in the end there, but I thought the first half was really atypical of who we are."
On what will change before Saturday's game: "It'll all change from tonight."