INDIANA, Pa. — Millersville rallied from a halftime 5–3 deficit to secure a 10–9 road victory over Indiana (Pa). 

The Marauders lost 16–9 to the Crimson Hawks in 2024 on their home turf. Eager to return the favor, the Marauders earnrd the win to remain undefeated at 3–0.

Millersville struggled to generate offense in the first half. After the first quarter, they were scoreless. However, in the second quarter, they found the back of the net three times.

Down 5–3 at the half, Millersville struck first to start the third quarter with a goal from Kaleigh Funk. The Crimson Hawks scored a goal of their own, but Millersville, with urgency, scored three more goals and took the lead for the first time.

The comeback started when freshman Brianna Gora dodged her defender and drove through the open lane to cut the score to 6–5.

"We got a big lift from Brianna Gora coming off the bench and ripping a shot for a goal," said head coach Mike Faith. "Clara Stamper also had a big impact on the game as well."  

Millersville, with all the momentum, scored again off a Mary Moraca goal. Moraca weaved through three defenders to notch the tying goal. 

IUP's Maggie Boyle was issued a yellow card in the last two minutes of the third quarter. Ella Linthicum took advantage of the man-up situation and scored with 13 seconds remaining in the third to give Millersville the 7–6 lead.

In the third quarter, Millersville outscored IUP,  4–1. It was still anyone's game as both teams went goal-for-goal in the fourth. The Crimson Hawks tied the game at nine apiece with eight minutes remaining.

For a stretch of seven minutes, both teams played hard defense. KC O'Neill came up huge in goal and made two critical saves to keep the score 9–9 in a man-down scenario.

"The defensive unit played lights out and Hailey Jordan drew a charge call that gave us the ball and we scored the game winning goal off of that possession," Faith stated.

A return to full strength initiated a flawless sequence for Millersville to recapture the lead. Rachel Keeney drove the lane and shot wide. Funk quickly scooped up the loose ball and found Linthicum open, who cut and fired an open shot to put the Marauders back on top, 10–9.

"I am very proud of the team for having a rough start to the game and then hitting the reset button going into the second half," said Faith. "We were a different team from that point forward. I love a team that can come back because that shows the team's true character. This team is learning how to win and listen in big moments during the game, so we will learn a lot from this game that will help us in conference play."

The Marauders clinched their third win of the season and will host Jefferson in a non-conference contest on Wednesday, March 5 at 4 p.m.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Millersville out shot IUP 30–19. 
• The Marauders went 10-for-10 on their clears. 
• Mary Moraca had a season-high of four goals and snagged 10 draw controls.