NCAA Opening Round Preview: Millersville set for rematch against Georgian Court

Friday, November 13

Elkins, W.V.

3:00 PM

Millersville University

Georgian Court University

Photo by: Kaya Wagner 2026

11/11/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: Aidan Bishop, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

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Millersville Men's Soccer

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ABOUT THE GAME

The Millersville Marauders and Georgian Court Lions will meet for the second time this season on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. Millersville earned the No. 7 seed in the tournament, while Georgian Court secured an automatic bid and the No. 10 seed.
Millersville enters Friday's matchup following a semifinal loss to East Stroudsburg in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament last Wednesday, ending the Marauders' pursuit of their sixth PSAC Championship. Georgian Court, meanwhile, enters the contest following a successful Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championship run, capped by a 2-1 victory over Bridgeport in the championship game.
The winner of Friday's matchup will advance to Sunday's second round to face No. 2 seed Davis & Elkins, which is coming off a runner-up finish in the Mountain East Conference Tournament.

MSOC: Millersville extending their lead here in the second half with a goal score by Zander Leik, assisted by Louis Wright. 'Ville now holding a strong lead of 2-0. https://t.co/X0pxw52UIA
— Millersville Marauders (@VilleMarauders) November 1, 2026

GAME STORYLINES

Millersville returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023. During its last appearance, the Marauders faced Gannon in the opening round but fell to the Golden Knights, 2-1. The last time Millersville advanced beyond the opening rounds was in 2021, when the Marauders reached the NCAA quarterfinals.
The Marauders will face Georgian Court for the second time this season after defeating the Lions, 4-0, during the regular season. Millersville scored three first-half goals as seniors Roy Parkyn, Louis Wright and Matias Schmidt each found the back of the net. Juan Ortiz Escobar added another goal 90 seconds into the second half off an assist from Brian O'Neill. The Marauders outshot the Lions, 14-6, while Gavin Massimi recorded three saves.
Millersville's defense has been one of the strongest in the PSAC, ranking first in goals allowed throughout the season. The offense has also been productive, ranking second in points and goals scored. The combination helped lead the Marauders to their sixth PSAC Eastern Division title.
Georgian Court has also found success offensively, ranking second in points and goals scored in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). Defensively, the Lions ranked sixth in the conference in goals allowed, surrendering 34 goals throughout the season.
A key factor for Millersville will be scoring early and controlling the pace of play on both ends of the field. The Marauders will look to get their offense back on track after being shut out by East Stroudsburg in the PSAC semifinals. Millersville created scoring opportunities throughout the matchup, but could not capitalize in the 1-0 loss. Defensively, the Marauders held strong for nearly 88 minutes before a costly mistake resulted in the deciding penalty kick.
Offensive weapons Roy Parkyn, Matias Schmidt, Brian O'Neill, Louis Wright and Drew Jones will be key in putting early pressure on the Lions' defense. Reserves Zander Leik, Nick Woodfill and Juan Ortiz Escobar will also provide additional options off the bench as the match progresses.
Kehmar Green, Nolan McCarty, Haven Thomas and John Fiorillo will be tasked with anchoring the backline and preventing the Lions' offense from gaining momentum. The defensive unit limited East Stroudsburg to two shots on goal in the PSAC semifinal and Slippery Rock to three in the quarterfinals. Massimi will remain in goal for the Marauders after not allowing a non-penalty goal in his last five appearances.
Georgian Court enters Friday's matchup riding a five-game winning streak, including three consecutive 2-1 victories during the CACC Tournament. After falling behind early in the championship match, the Lions rallied late in the first half when Gijs van Eif converted a penalty kick. Noah Aasheim then scored the game-winning goal 10 minutes into the second half.
Offensively, van Eif leads the Lions with 11 goals and eight assists this season. Nabeel Khan, Noah-Maxim Kleiser and Sander Rynning have each added four goals for Georgian Court. While those players have led the Lions offensively, others have also contributed, including Aasheim, who scored the game-winner in the championship match for his first goal of the season.
Freshman goalkeeper Lennox Blue Lebelt will be in net for the Lions. He has allowed 17 goals this season while recording a .730 save percentage and a 9-3-1 record. Although he has surrendered a goal in each of his last three appearances, Lebelt has helped Georgian Court secure victories in all three contests.