EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Despite not advancing further in the postseason, the Millersville University women's lacrosse team achieved a significant milestone by earning its first playoff appearance since 2022. The Marauders competed strongly in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Quarterfinal against No. 14 East Stroudsburg but ultimately fell 13–9, concluding their 2025 campaign.
Millersville generated multiple scoring opportunities, recording 24 total shots with 18 on target. However, East Stroudsburg goalkeeper Abby Simonetti, recently named the 2025 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year, made nine saves and limited Millersville to just nine goals. Her performance helped propel the Warriors into the PSAC semifinals.
"I'm beyond proud of the team and the way they played today," was head coach Mike Faith's reaction to the teams will to fight. "They couldn't have played any harder and more together as a team."
On the defensive end, Millersville goalkeeper KC O'Neill contributed 11 saves, five of which came in the second quarter. East Stroudsburg pressured consistently, registering 33 shots overall with 24 on goal, leading to 13 successful conversions.
"I thought KC played great today," said Faith. "She hung in there and kept us in the game. It was great to see how confident she was in there. Ella was unreal today, she got us going early and she has so much heart, you could see her try to will the team to victory."
Senior Ella Linthicum led the Marauders in scoring during her final game, recording a season-high four goals, two in each half. Her contributions kept the Marauders competitive throughout the game.
Millersville managed to score in each quarter, but East Stroudsburg consistently responded. The Warriors outscored the Marauders by at least one goal in each of the first three quarters, building a lead that proved difficult to overcome.
The game began competitively, with both teams exchanging early goals. However, East Stroudsburg ended the first quarter with two unanswered goals, establishing a 4–2 lead. Millersville struck first in the second quarter, but the Warriors again closed the period strongly, extending their lead to 7–4 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the teams continued to trade goals, though East Stroudsburg maintained a slight edge, entering the final quarter with an 11–7 advantage. Linthicum scored the opening goal of the fourth quarter, but East Stroudsburg's Sadie Kauffman, recently named PSAC Freshman of the Year, added two more goals to secure the 13–9 win.
"Making the playoffs this year and playing the way we did today will only help motivate the team to get back next year, Faith said. "They were already talking about it afterwards."
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Mike Faith, the Marauders concluded the 2025 season with an 11–7 record, establishing a strong foundation for future growth and success.
"I just want to thank the seniors and their parents for believing in Emmy and I this year," Faith said reflecting on how the season panned out. " The seniors will be missed and I'm proud of the legacy they have left for the returning players."
