Box Score West Chester, Pa. – A magical run through the PSAC Field Hockey Tournament came to an end for the Millersville field hockey team with a 4-0 loss to West Chester in the Saturday's championship game.

Playing in its first PSAC Championship contest since 1989, Millersville (14-7) tallied two shots, all from freshman Megan Donlan, and keeper Lauren Sotzin saved five Golden Ram shots in the game. The Marauders only took one penalty corner in each half.

“We have a great group of women who represent what Millersville field hockey is,” head field hockey coach Shelly Behrens said. “I am proud of what we did, and we will continue to learn and get better as a team.”

West Chester (17-2) won its first PSAC Championship since 1983 (the Golden Rams competed at Division I from 1984-2010). The championship's Most Valuable Player Michele Schrift tallied a hat trick in the game, and teammate Kelsi Lykens added a goal and an assist for the Golden Rams.

West Chester got on the board early when it forced a penalty corner five minutes into the contest. Golden Ram Stef Pirri played the ball into Nancy Stehman, who fired at the goal. Her shot was redirected by Lykens and past Sotzin for the first goal of the game at the 5:02 mark.

The Marauders were able to get a few close looks throughout the rest of the first half but could not penetrate the Golden Ram defense. The half ended with West Chester leading 1-0 and taking nine more corners and six more shots than Millersville.

Schrift helped West Chester take control of the game in the second half. Her first goal of the game came just under eight minutes into the second period. She dribbled around two Millersville defenders and sailed a shot over Sotzin's left shoulder into to the right side of the goal, giving West Chester a 2-0 lead.

Schrift's second goal found the back of the cage around 12 minutes later. Off of a corner, Schrift handled a hard pass from Lykens and quickly knocked the ball into the back of the cage for the 3-0 advantage.

Schrift tallied the championship's final goal with four minutes to play. Again, off of a corner, Schrift tapped in a blocked shot to put the game out of reach with a 4-0 West Chester lead.

Millersville took a penalty corner late in the game, but a blocked shot ended the Marauders scoring chance.

“This was a great step for us, and it will only make us better,” Behrens said. “I am so proud and so pleased of this team, and I love coaching this team.”

The Marauders now play the waiting game to see if they get a bid into the NCAA Tournament. After defeating No. 3 Bloomsburg and then the nation's No. 1 team in Shippensburg, Millersville has made a strong case to be worthy of a NCAA nod. Only six teams--one from each region--are selected to the NCAA Tournament. 

“Reaching the PSAC Championship game and beating some of the top teams certainly prove that we deserve to go to the NCAA's,” Behrens said about the postseason possibilities. “This team deserves to keep playing, and I hope that we can get in.”

Millersville will learn its fate on Monday, Oct. 29. Stay tuned to millersvilleathletics.com for more information.