Kaya Wagner 2025

Must win week could keep playoff hopes alive

4/22/2025 11:08:00 AM | By: Ashley Hudak, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

ABOUT THE GAME

Millersville and No. 17 Kutztown fought warily this season, but the Golden Bears got the upper hand, 20–12. Millersville had a 10–9 lead going into halftime, but Kutztown found its momentum and scored eight goals in the third period to make the comeback nearly impossible. Kutztown just lost to PSAC East opponent Shippensburg in overtime. The loss puts the Golden Bears at 6–5 in conference play, while Millersville is their last game of the regular season. If Kutztown wins, their conference record will be 7–5, and the Golden Bears will automatically clinch the third and last playoff spot. If Millersville wins, their record will be 6–5, and they will play one more game of the regular season against Shippensburg. It will be a battle for both teams as a win secures the fate for either team.

The Marauders extend the lead!! pic.twitter.com/LzodzdolmY
— Millersville Marauders (@VilleMarauders) March 22, 2025

Millersville dropped its last game to nationally ranked East Stroudsburg. Even though the Marauders dropped this game, they can still make the playoffs if they win the remaining two games in their season.
The Marauders are two wins shy of their first playoff appearance since 2022.
Millersville has outscored opponents this season 195–175. The black and gold average 29.4 shots per game with a .782 shot-on-goal percentage.
Paving the way for an attack is leading goal scorer Ashlyn Simonetti. The senior has a career best of 45 goals and counting, complemented by 12 assists.
Trailing behind are Kaleigh Funk and Rachel Keeney. Funk has scored 35 goals, a career-best as well, while Keeney has notched 30 and leads the team in assists with 30.
Having a standout season is Mary Moraca. Off the draw, the junior has collected a career-best 98 and counting. Moraca has also scored 26 goals, recorded nine assists, and caused 19 turnovers.
Katlyn Krebs is a silent leader on the defensive end. She leads the team in two categories, ground balls (35) and caused turnovers (25). The junior was moved up to the circle mid-season to help the black and gold collect the ball off the draw. In eight games, she has collected 39 draw controls.

Kutztown is 9–7 on their season while they are 6–5 in PSAC East play. The Golden Bears have lost their last four games, with their most recent loss to Shippensburg in overtime, 11–10. Kutztown is fighting to stay in the playoffs, a loss could soil their chances of obtaining this goal.
As a unit, the team has outscored its opponents 215–170 and averages 36.1 shots per game with a .706 shot-on-goal percentage.
The Golden Bear's offense revolves around Sam Graf and Lailah ElBouazzaoui. Graf leads the team in goals (59) and assists (28) for a total of 87 points. ElBouazzaoui scoring several goals is behind Graf with 48. Both players are tied for leading in draw controls with 62 apiece.
Leading in caused turnovers, Graf has forced 52. Right on her heels is teammate Summer Davis with 40.
Marisa Bragg is the starting goalkeeper for the Golden Bears. The junior has seen action in all 16 games and made 15 starts. Bragg has made 113 saves for a .461 save percentage and averaged 10.55 goals per game.

Millersville and Kutztown will battle for the second time this season. Millersville held Kutztown 10–9 in the first half of game one, but Kutztown's second-half surge pushed them to a 20–12 victory. The Marauders hold the upper hand in the series with a 24–13 advantage, but the Golden Bears have claimed the last five games. This nail-biting game will come down to the last second to determine who will take the No. 3 spot in the PSAC playoff bracket.