GAME NOTES
How We Got Here: Tied 0-0 through 80 minutes with Shippensburg in the regular-season finale, the Warriors had to score to punch their ticket to the postseason. A scoreless tie would have sent Millersville to the PSAC Quarterfinals. Turocy, who had a penalty kick saved earlier in the second half, delivered the game-winning penalty kick in the 83rd minute of play to send ESU to the postseason. The goal was the first of the season for Turocy.
The Series: ESU swept West Chester for the first time since 2008 this season. Its first win against the nationally-ranked Golden Rams on Sept. 27 ended a 12-game winless streak (0-9-3) against WCU, marking ESU’s first win since 2014.
The Warriors lead the all-time series by a mark of 46-41-16.
In the first contest, West Chester scored the first goal in the 63rd minute, before Trevor Paone struck in the 73rd for the equalizer and Ethan Flickinger sent the Warrior faithful home happy with the eventual game-winning goal in the 78th minute of play.
In the most recent meeting on Oct. 26, the Warriors used three second half goals from Matte Geidies, Ignasi Cucurella and Trevor Paone, along with six saves and a shutout from freshman goalkeeper Helgi Hermannsson to take the contest, 3-0. It marks the largest margin of victory for ESU against West Chester since the Warriors defeated WCU 4-0 in the 2003 PSAC Tournament.
Who to Watch: The Warriors used a balance offense this season, with 10 different Warriors finding the back of the net and eight different members recording an assist. Both of Trevor Paone’s goals this season have come against WCU. In goal, Helgi Hermannsson, the reigning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week has been on fire as of late, posting five consecutive shutouts against PSAC foes and has allowed just a single goal over his past six contests. Freshman Ethan Flickinger’s three game-winning goals this season ranks fourth in the conference and 29th in NCAA Division II.
Scouting West Chester: The Golden Rams (10-5-2, 7-3-2) enter the contest following a 4-1 road win at Shepherd last Saturday. Winners in three of their past four contests, with the lone loss coming to ESU, the Golden Rams are led by Andrew Markopoulos in scoring. The native of Drexel Hill has registered six goals and 12 points in 2022 to pace the offense. Craig Potts, the lone Ram to score a goal against ESU this season, ranks second on the squad with four goals and two assists for 10 points. 2021 All-PSAC First Team selection Daniel Good patrols the goal, holdiong a 1.27 goals against average and a .765 save percentage. He has totaled four shutouts on the season.
The Coaches: The Warriors are led by Rob Berkowitz (78-94-21), who is in his 11th season coaching the ESU men and the 15th at the helm of the Warriors’ women’s team. ESU seeks its first PSAC Title since 2017 and looks to advance to its 25th NCAA Tournament in program history. Berkowitz is opposed by Michael Benn of WCU, who has totaled a 105-44-20 record the past nine seasons. He looks to guide the Golden Rams to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019 and the fifth time overall.
A Look Ahead: The winner of Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup advances to Bloomsburg for the PSAC Semifinals. ESU or West Chester will face the No. 1 seed in the PSAC West in Mercyhurst on Friday, with a trip to the PSAC Championship on the line.
