LHU men’s soccer falls to Millersville, edged 3-2 (OT)

LOCK HAVEN, PA – In a battle of two of the best Division II team’s in the Atlantic Region, the Lock Haven University men’s soccer team (6-2-2, 4-1-1 PSAC East) and Millersville University (8-4, 4-3 PSAC East) needed extra time Wednesday night to settle their differences, and the visiting Marauders found the difference maker early in overtime on the way to a 3-2 (OT) win.

It marked the first game LHU has dropped in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division play this season and snapped the Bald Eagles seven-match unbeaten run. Lock Haven entered tonight ranked No. 4 in the Atlantic Region, while Millersville was ranked 10th in the region.

Connor Swope (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York) scored both goals for Lock Haven.

Beckham Sibiski (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown H.S.) played well and was credited with an assist on LHU’s first tally. LHU goalkeeper Aitor Ruiz de Eguilaz (Euskadi, Spain/Koldo Mitxelena (Robert Morris)) finished with two saves.

Millersville opened the scoring and took a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. The goal came just after Swope created the game’s first big scoring chance at the other end. Swope nearly put Lock Haven up 1-0 in the seventh minute, but his shot drifted just wide at the far post.

In the 20th minute, Sibiski sent a long free kick just wide at the near post as the Bald Eagles looked to change the momentum.

Lock Haven kept the field tilted in their favor and tied the match at 1-1 in the 22nd minute off a corner kick. Swope found the end of a perfect crossing-pass from Sibiski and headed it home while leaping amongst a crowd at the near post.

Swope was at it again and scored his second of the game in the 35th minute. He knocked home a loose ball at the back post that was bouncing around after a corner kick, and the goal pushed the Bald Eagles into the lead at 2-1.

Lock Haven led 2-1 at halftime, but Millersville looked to push even in the second half. In the 62nd minute Chase Tackett (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) made a tackle, which thwarted a prime Marauder scoring chance.

Overall, Tackett turned in a workmanlike effort.

In the 69th minute Duc Van Do (New Oxford, Pa./New Oxford) nearly provided another needed LHU goal, but his shot attempt was cleared off the line in brilliant fashion by Millersville back Aaron Maynard.

The visitors tied the match at 2-2 in the 78th minute.

In final minutes of regulation, Haven defender Dean Lewis (Belfast, Norther Ireland/Model Boys School) made a tremendous play to stop a Millersville break. Lewis’ timely defending sent the game to overtime.

Just 1:07 into the first OT period, Millersville scored the game-winning goal.

The Bald Eagles will return to action on Saturdaywhen they host Shippensburg University in PSAC East action at 6:30 p.m.