The Slippery Rock University men’s soccer team fell to Millersville University Saturday 2-1 in the second round of the Division II NCAA Tournament.
SRU junior midfielder Brandon Chiu scored the first goal of the game in the 24th minute off of an assist from junior forward Dom Francis.
The Rock led the game until halftime, but in the 50th minute Millersville junior forward Austin Hoke sent a 40-yard cross into SRU’s box and scored.
SRU sophomore forward Peter Boylan said the team underrated Millersville and that they had a big dry spell during the game.
“Honestly, I feel that we took them too lightly and let up a bit too much,” Boylan said. “We were flat footed for a seven minute spell, which in turn caused us the season.”
Millersville junior defender Clark Habecker gave his team the lead in the 53rd minute of the game with a 30-yard long-shot.
SRU junior forward Stephen Donnelly said he thought his team should’ve won the game.
“I think we played really well, and deserved to win, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes,” Donnelly said.
Millersville junior goalkeeper Brad Benzing had one save in the game, while SRU senior goalkeeper Joe Agerskow had eight saves.
Millersville held the advantage with 11-5 in shots on goal and17-14 in total shots. However, SRU had a 6-5 edge over Millersville in corner kicks.
The Green and White had their season ended shortly after becoming the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Champions last week.
Boylan said his team had a great season, and that winning the PSAC championship was a big accomplishment for him and his teammates.
“We won the PSAC title, which is something that we set out to do in the beginning of the year,” Boylan said. “Yes, we lost in the first round of the nationals, but we won the PSAC, and no one can take that away from us.”
He went on to say that SRU surprised a lot of people and beat teams that no one expected them to beat.
Donnelly echoed his teammate’s comments, saying that winning the PSAC Championship is something that was huge for the team.
“We won the PSAC and that’s something each and every one of us will always remember for the rest of our lives,” Donnelly said.
