GAME NOTES
How We Got Here: Despite trailing 2-1 headed into the fourth quarter, ESU didn't flinch as the Warriors rallied to defeat No. 4 seed Mansfield, 3-2, in overtime in a PSAC Semifinal game on Friday afternoon at Whitenight Field.
Madison Kline answered the call for the Warriors as the senior tied the game at 2-2 with 3:55 remaining on the clock before blasting home a shot off a penalty corner at the 67:46 mark in overtime.
Shippensburg got a golden goal from junior Tess Jedeloo at the 7:12 mark of overtime on Friday to propel the Raiders to a 1-0 victory over No. 3 Kutztown in the other PSAC Semifinal matchup.
The Series: ESU and Shippensburg are no strangers as the teams will meet for the sixth time over the last three seasons, which included twice in the NCAA Division II Tournament. It will be the first PSAC Tournament matchup between the Warriors and Raiders since the 2018 semifinal contest.
Tomorrow’s game marks the second meeting of the season between ESU and Shippensburg with the Warriors routing the Raiders, 5-1, back on October 18 at Whitenight Field.
In the overall series, which dates back to 1981, Shippensburg owns a record of 38-25-2 against the Warriors, but ESU was victorious in the previous two meetings.
Scouting ESU: Highlighted by junior midfielder Jady van Gils being honored as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year, ESU had seven players named to the 2023 All-PSAC Teams. Graduate students Nicole Krozser and Lia Parker as well as senior Maddy Barbush joined van Gils on the First Team, while seniors Madison Kline and Amy Supey were honored on the Second Team. Senior Grace Lesh rounded out the selections for the Warriors on the Third Team.
The Warriors feature a balanced offensive attack as Kline is the team leader in points (27) and goals (11) while Krozser is right behind with 10 goals. van Gils has registered nine goals and four assists while Lewis is up to eight goals and two assists.
There’s a familiar face in goal for the Warriors as Supey has started in all 18 games this season, logging over 1040 minutes. The Lehman native has a 0.86 goals against average, 30 saves (0.667 save %) and five solo shutouts. She set the school record this campaign for the most solo shutouts in a career dating back to 2003 with 15.
The Warriors garnered four PSAC Weekly Honors during the regular season – Madison Kline – Athlete of the Week, Sept. 12| Amy Supey – Defensive Athlete of the Week, Oct. 3 & Oct. 10 | Nicole Krozser – Athlete of the Week, Oct. 24
Coach Miller: Sandy Miller, who led ESU to the 2015 & 2022 PSAC and NCAA Division II championships, is in her 39th season at the helm of the program. Miller has notched 495 career wins and moved into third all-time in Division II earlier this season following a 1-0 victory at Mansfield. Miller and the Warriors seek back-to-back PSAC titles for the first time in program history as well as their eighth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
A Look Ahead: The NCAA Selection show is scheduled for Monday, November 6 at 3 p.m. on NCAA.com
