MILLERSVILLE, Pa. — Despite a late push in the second half, the Millersville field hockey team was defeated 3–2 by Frostburg State.
After the senior day festivities wrapped up, which included honoring
Lotje Schulpen,
Kerstin Koons,
Gianna Cugino,
Morgan Lennon, and
Saige Shine, it was an uneventful first quarter. However, play quickly picked up in the second quarter, as the game opened up for both the Millersville and Frostburg State offenses. The Marauders struck first, starting the scoring four minutes into the second quarter. Shine passed it to Lennon off a penalty corner, and Lennon had a shooting lane open up for her. Lennon fired the ball towards the cage, and
Emma Ruley got a stick on it to redirect it into the goal for the game's opening mark. The Marauders lead was short-lived though, as Frostburg State marched down minutes later and converted a penalty corner of its own, evening the score with a goal from Ava Waddell off an assist from Emilie Bonhivert. Less than two minutes later, the Bobcats jumped out in front with a goal from Femke Hofkamp, quickly flipping the game on its head.
The Bobcats came out of halftime and didn't miss a beat, getting an insurance goal to go up by two with another tally from the Waddell and Bonhivert connection. The Marauders seemed to get their feet back under them halfway through the third, putting pressure on the Bobcats defense. Despite three penalty corners though, Frostburg State was able to preserve its two-goal lead for the time being. Five minutes later, the Marauders had another flurry of chances, resulting in a penalty stroke. With three minutes remaining in the half,
Erin Esterhuizen converted the chance to cut the deficit in half. Needing a goal, Millersville's offense possessed the ball in the attacking half but managed just one shot attempt in the final frame. The Bobcats were able to stymie Millersville just enough defensively before possessing it in the offensive end as the clock wound down.
The Marauders now stand at 2–5 in-conference with two games remaining and are on the outside looking in of the conference tournament. Millersville ends its regular season on the road, with matchups against Kutztown and Mansfield. First up are the Golden Bears, as Millersville will look to regroup before its matchup at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 in Kutztown, Pa.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Marauders outshot the Bobcats 10–6, but each team put five shots on goal.
- Both teams were able to create penalty corners, but Millersville held an edge in that category 9–7.
- Waddell led all players in shots on goal, turning both of hers into goals for the Bobcats.
POSTGAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH SHELLY BEHRENS
- Opening thoughts on the game: "I think the second quarter did us in. It falls on us to be better, and that's just where we are. It feels like I keep saying the same thing in that regard. We have to finish. I thought Erin had a really nice penalty stroke. We played to win, just didn't get the result."
- On what led to Frostburg State's three-straight goals: "We had two defensive errors off the substitutions from players who are usually good about those things. We had two soft errors with receiving, those result in turnovers and they jump on it. We just have to be better."
- On the senior class: "They're a fantastic class. Morgan, Saige, and Kerstin in particular have been here all four years, Kerstin being an All-American her freshman year. Gianna and Lotje transferred in as well. They're a really cool group of kids to be around. They're a really selfless group."
- On the team's position heading down the stretch: "I would like to see more fight in us, if I'm being honest. I think some calls went against us, but how we react needs to be better."
