MILLERVILLE, Pa. --- Millersville University (3-1) dropped their Sunday afternoon match up against Assumption University (1-3) in a back and forth thriller at Biemsderfer Stadium. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was a defensive stalemate through 30 minutes of play, with possession that bounced back and forth between the midfield. Millersville was awarded just one corner opportunity in the first half, but it was the play of their defense that kept things scoreless through two. Assumption took four corners in the first half, all of which resulted in shots. Sarah Crysler shined in the first half and turned away all three shots that were pushed on goal by the Greyhounds. Daniella Fazekas also held it down for the Marauders with two blocked shots in the first half.

The game did not stay tied for long; however, with 11:38 remaining in the third quarter, Assumption poured the pressure on and took two shots on goal that were turned away by Crysler. Nova Rijks eventually broke through for Assumption off a rebound opportunity from that sustained pressure.

Less than two minutes later, Paige Webster forced an offensive zone turnover and took a 13-yard strike that found the back of the net to tie things back up at one apiece. Millersville sustained offensive pressure with two minutes left with a corner opportunity and a shot on goal by Teagan Byler that was turned away by Assumption's goalie. Another corner, this time with 26 seconds left, led to an Alexis Kern shot that was split-saved by Assumption goalie Paige Gillette.

Assumption had two early corner opportunities in the fourth, but once again were turned away by that strong Millersville defense. With four minutes remaining, Assumption generated two shots on goal off a corner opportunity that were both blocked by Daniella Fazekas. With 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, Assumption threatened the tie with a one-on-one, but it was Daniella Fazekas who continued her stellar defensive performance and turned Assumption's offensive threat away. With that sustained offensive pressure, Assumption took the lead with 37 seconds left off a corner opportunity.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

• The Maruaders took four shots on goal with Paige Webster being the lone goal scorer for Millersville, her second of the season. 
• Sarah Crysler made six saves with eight shots on goal from Assumption and moved to 3-1 on the season.

POST-GAME WITH SHELLY BEHRENS

• Defense was lights out today, can you speak to the toughness of your defense, specifically players like Jillian Kringe who held it down on the back line and Daniella Fazekas who blocked four shots on her own? 
  • "I also think Peyton Bean and Sarah Crysler were brilliant as well. I think we are seeing a mirror image in ourselves team wise. Credit to the Assumption coach, they found a way to win. I think think we are disappointed, but I think what we can learn from this. Individual defense has to be better for us, but I feel that our backfield was great and our goalkeeping was very positive for us today. " 
• Assumption is a tough squad, they came in 0-3, but having played three teams in our conference very hard. What can you take away from this loss heading into conference play? 
  • "I think again, it wasn't so much the hockey that got us. I think there are little things that we have to straighten up and tidy up on. There are things that we are going to take away, we're going to learn from this. Not disappointed in the kids at all, I'm disappointed for them, but we need to be better in many areas and we can't get away with things we were getting away with before. That's the lesson. Let's get better, but I think this will help us with our PSAC games no doubt." 

Millersville's next game is this Thursday, September 18 at 4:00 p.m. against East Stroudsburg University at East Stroudsburg.