WEST CHESTER, Pa. — The Marauders and Golden Rams battled in a non-conference matchup of top-10 PSAC teams, but Millersville was unable to come out on top, falling 1–0.
 
The two sides traded attacks in the opening frame, with West Chester getting the first crack at a goal. Three minutes in, Kerstin Koons made a quick stop to keep the game scoreless early on. Millersville transitioned to offense and drew a penalty corner, but Caitlin Wassermann's attempt was blocked, and the threat was neutralized. Both teams settled into the flow of the game in the middle of the quarter, but action again picked up towards the end. The Marauders best chance of the game came with two minutes left in the first off another penalty corner, as Morgan Lennon had a shot saved from the top of the circle, and Erin Esterhuizen's rebound opportunity was also stopped.
 
Millersville quickly had to get into defensive position as West Chester countered, peppering the Marauders net with shots in the final moments of the quarter. The Golden Rams took five shot attempts off three penalty corners, as Koons stopped all four shots that made it through to keep it scoreless after the first 15 minutes. West Chester remained on the offensive in the second quarter, adding three more shots to its total while forcing Koons to make another save. Once the initial wave subsided, both teams defended well to go into halftime 0–0.
 
The Golden Rams came out of the break generating the first chance of the second half, cashing in four minutes in on a goal from Adriana Palumbo. The Marauders made pushes to even the score in the second half but were stymied by the West Chester back line. Despite having the lead, West Chester was able to quickly force a turnover and make the Marauders defend in the second half, preventing Millersville from finding the equalizer. 
 
Now 3–2 on the season, the No. 8 Millersville field hockey team will look to regroup before this weekend, with its next game against Coker at noon on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Biemesderfer Stadium.

GAME NOTES

• The Marauders are now 11–19 all-time against the Golden Rams, but they'll have another shot to get back in the win column against West Chester later in the season on Oct. 17.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• West Chester held the advantage in the three main offensive stat categories, leading in shot attempts 16–3, shots on goal 8–2, and penalty corners 9–2.

POSTGAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH SHELLY BEHRENS
Opening thoughts on the game: "It went about how we thought it would go, just a great PSAC field hockey game against a great opponent. I'm really proud of us doing some things we did today. Although we didn't get a finishing result, I think we got better today and we can build off of this."
On how the team can prepare for future PSAC games: "We have to learn, then we have to make the changes. I thought we had some chances, but we just have to capitalize off of those and finish. There are some pieces in the defensive end that we have to work on. That discipline has to be sharper going forward, but we're proud of the team today and we'll move forward.
 
On the upcoming stretch before conference play: "Our approach each day is making daily improvements, just constantly looking for ways to get better. I really want us to push ourselves. I think we've done a good job of creating chances, we just need to finish those. It's a good time of year though to take a quick day or two off, let everyone regroup, and come back ready to go and make those improvements."