No. 13 Marauders Host No. 16 California (Pa.) in PSAC Semifinals

October 30, 2011

PSAC SEMIFINAL INFORMATION
(3) California (Pa). (11-2-4, 6-2-1 (PSAC) at (2) Millersville (10-6-1, 7-2-0 PSAC)
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2010 – 6 p.m.
Chryst Field at Biemsderfer Stadium – Millersville, Pa.
 
SERIES INFORMATION
All-Time Series vs. CalU: 11-11-2
Widdowson Era vs. CalU: 6-1
First Meeting: 1989 (CalU 2, MU 0)
Last Meeting: 2011 (MU 1, CalU 0)
 
MEDIA INFORMATION
Live Stats
Live Audio
Live Video
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Purchase at Gate
Adults: $7
Visiting Students with Valid ID: $2
PSAC School Students with Valid ID: FREE
 
MARAUDERS' POST-SEASON SUCCESS
The Millersville men's soccer team is entering its fifth-straight PSAC Tournament under head coach Steve Widdowson. It is Millersville ninth all-time appearance in the conference playoffs. The Marauders have appeared in the PSAC Championship game in two of the last four season but are still looking for their first-ever PSAC Championship.
 
2007
Four years ago, in Widdowson's first season, the Marauders made the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2002. The Marauders were a surprise team in the conference playoffs after finishing 3-12-1 the season before. Unfortunately Millersville fell in the semifinals to Lock Haven by a score of 3-0.
 
2008
Millersville captured the PSAC Eastern Division Championship and No. 1 seed in the PSAC Tournament in Widdowson's second year as head coach. The team collected a 15-2 regular season record and began post season play as the No. 5 team in the NSCAA national rankings. The Marauders advanced to the PSAC Championship game after defeating fourth-seed and No. 15 East Stroudsburg 3-2 in double overtime. Millersville then fell to California (Pa.) in the PSAC Championship game by a score of 3-2.
 
The Marauders and Vulcans met again six days later in the opening round of the NCAA tournament where Millersville got redemption with a 3-0 shutout over California (Pa.) to move into the Atlantic Regional Championship. Millersville defeated Slippery Rock 1-0 on a first half goal to win the Atlantic Regional Championships.
 
In the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals (Elite-8), Millersville lost a heartbreaker to No. 10 Northern Kentucky in penalty kicks. After a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes of play Northern Kentucky outlasted the Marauders to advance with a 5-4 decision in PK's. Millersville ended the season ranked No. 6 in the final NSCAA poll.

2009
For the second-straight year Millersville advanced to the PSAC Championship game after defeating Bloomsburg in the semifinals by a score of 4-0. The Marauders also captured its second-straight PSAC Eastern Division Championships. Millersville earned its first-ever NSCAA No. 1 ranking in 2009.
 
Millersville matched up with No. 12 Slippery Rock in the conference championship game, but for the second-straight year fell short of a PSAC Championship as it lost, 2-1.
 
The Marauders reached the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight year but were unable to escape the first round as they fell to No. 14 Charleston (W.Va.), 2-0. Millersville finished the season ranked No. 18 in the NSCAA poll.
 
2010
In the final game of the regular season, the Marauders secured its fourth-straight PSAC Tournament appearance with a 1-1 tie against West Chester. Millersville earned the third seed in the tournament and had to travel to East Stroudsburg for the PSAC Semifinals. The Marauders were eliminated by the Warriors in a close fought game in which East Stroudsburg found a late goal in the first half to escape on home turf, 1-0.
 
The Marauders were ranked as high as No. 8 in the NSCAA poll before falling out completely by the season's end.
 
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Marauders have had the Vulcans' number since Widdowson took over as head coach in 2007. Millersville won its first three games over California (Pa.) under Widdowson before falling in the 2008 PSAC Championship game by a score of 3-2. The Marauders responded days later with a 3-0 victory over the Vulcans in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
Under Widdowson, Millersville holds a 6-1 record, including a 1-0 win on the road earlier this season against California (Pa.). The teams, however, have an all-time series record of 11-11-2.
 
KEY PLAYERS
Millersville
#20 Andrew Dukes, So., Forward, 14 points (6 goals, 2 assists)
#9 Aaron Roland, Sr., Forward, 13 points (4 goals, 5 assists)
#19 Eric Pepper, Sr.,  Midfield, 12 points (3 goals, 6 assists)
#23 Pat Baffuto, Sr., Midfield, 10 points (5 goals, 0 assists)
#8 Matt Kadoch, Jr., Forward, 9 points (3 goals, 3 assists)
#1 Brad Benzing, R-Fr., Goalkeeper, 10-6-1, 6 shutouts, 61 saves
 
California (Pa.)
#8 Edin Sabic, Sr., Forward, 15 points (5 goals, 5 assists)
#7 Paul Silvestrone, Jr., Forward, 12 points (4 goals, 4 assists)
#4 Brady Sanders, Sr., Forward, 10 points (4 goals, 2 assists)
#12 Brad Colvin, Fr., Midfield, 9 points (3 goals, 3 assists)
#11 Chris Moehler, Jr., Midfield, 8 points (4 goals, 0 assists)
#00 Charlie Dagnal,R-Sr., Goalkeeper, 11-2-4, 9 shutouts, 53 saves
 
PSAC TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Wednesday, November 2 – Semifinals (at higher seed)
(4) Bloomsburg at (1) Lock Have, 7 p.m.
(3) California (Pa.) at (2) Millersville, 6 p.m.
 
Saturday, November 5 (Championship – at highest remaining seed)
California/Millersville vs. Bloomsburg/Lock Haven, TBA

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