Millersville advances to championship game with 2-1 OT win

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Millersville senior Champayne Hess scored the game-winner just 2:51 into the first period of sudden victory overtime to lead the Marauders to a 2-1 win against West Chester in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championships in Trager Stadium on the Louisville campus.

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Hess set up the game-winning play as she dribbled down the middle of the field before passing the ball into the circle to Katelyn Zapp who dove to make contact with the ball before the West Chester goalie could round it up. The ball bounced in front of the net back to Hess who was able to put it into the empty net.

“It is all just a blur,” Hess said. “We have been on a mission since we lost in the semifinals last year. We have the mindset that we can beat anyone if we just play our game.”  

Millersville (19-3) took the lead first as they scored at the 4:48 mark as Lauren Gerhart’s pass was knocked up into the air and Alicia Youtz was able to redirect it past the West Chester goaltender and into the back of the net.

West Chester (18-3) didn’t waste much time in tying the score. Less than seven minutes later Marnie Kusak dribbled down the right hand side of the field and sent a perfect pass across the front of the cage to Rachal Toppi, who was able to get her stick on it and put it into the goal.

The Marauders now advance to the championship game for the first time in school history.