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`Millersville men’s soccer has taken their accomplishments to the next level after clinching the PSAC East division title for the first time since 1990.
The team knocked off nationally ranked East Stroudsburg, and followed it up with a victory over Bloomsburg on the final day of the regular season.
The Marauders completed an undefeated season within the PSAC East, and now host East Stroudsburg in the first round of the conference playoffs on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
The most recent victory over East Stroudsburg, at home, clinched the division, and was the second win Millersville celebrated over their divisional foes this season. The game was tight in the first half, with both teams holding each other to a scoreless draw.
The second half, however, shifted in favor of the home side when, two-time PSAC player of the week, senior Ryan Kiley opened up the scoring in the 62nd minute.
The Marauders pushed even further ahead when freshman Dan Prian scored the pivotal goal that sealed victory and the division title.
“We came out with the same game plan as the last time we played them. We had to make a couple changes; mostly personnel issues. We made a couple subs and they came on and played at a high level including freshman Dan Prian, who gave us that extra boost off the bench,” said Coach Steve Widdowson.
The Bloomsburg game, on Millersville’s senior night, was a game of huge magnitude for the Marauders.
It was not only a chance to recognize the seniors on the squad that worked so hard to get the team to where they are, but it was also an opportunity for the them to secure an undefeated season in the division, and finish with the most wins in school history.
The game finished 3-1. Kiley added two goals to his season tally, pushing his team past the visitors and completing Millersville’s wonderful run through the PSAC East.
Coach Widdowson had this to say about the historic night:
“It was a big night. We take each game as it comes, and we have to stay focused on the bigger things yet to come. We took care of ESU to clinch the title, and then we looked toward Bloomsburg, where we had the chance to set a record in wins for the school and finish undefeated in the division.”
Senior Ryan McLaughin grabs senior Ryan Kiley as their teammates run towards them to celebrate his goal during a win against East Stroudsburg. Photo by Christian Shuts.
Kiley accompanied teammate Sean McLaughlin this past week, as the only two Marauders to earn the PSAC player of the week award multiple times.
Kiley recorded three times, including two game winning goals, last week.
He reached a total of eight goals and seven assists, which totaled a career high 25 points, in his final season. He is one of the experienced captains on the team, and a major reason that Millersville is having, possibly, its best soccer season ever.
Millersville now gets its chance to move forward into the playoffs, and their first match up features a recognizable foe, East Stroudsburg.
Widdowson made it clear to his players that they must stay focused and execute the game plan that worked so successfully against them twice before this season.
Millersville’s recent surge to the top is a new feel for this team. They appeared to get a slight taste of it last year, but now have the opportunity to finish what they have worked so hard for.
Widdowson envisions that his team will benefit from the past two games against East Stroudsburg.
However, he warned that they have great talent and that his team cannot have any type of let-down.
“By beating them (East Stroudsburg) for the second time, we did not send a message to the rest of the nation, but we did reconfirm that we can handle anyone on any given day.
“We have a game plan that works against their dangerous team. We just have to execute; if we don’t play to our full capability we may find ourselves in a bit of trouble,” said Widdowson.
The NCAA tournament selections will be made on Monday, Nov. 10, and will stream on NCAA.com at 7 p.m.