Kat Vasquez
Associate Sports Editor

Genevieve Speights shines and scores a last-minute goal to win against Bloomsburg University Saturday, March 23rd. The back and forth battle between Bloomsburg and Millersville featured eight lead changes and seven ties, it was the Millersville University women’s lacrosse team that powered through upsetting Bloomsburg.

This marks the Marauders first-ever road win against a nationally-ranked opponent in the last 11 seasons and the fewest goals they have allowed to a nationally-ranked opponent since their 10-6 win over Lock Haven back on April 20, 2016. This achievement gave Head Coach Cindy Wilson overjoyed,  “This win feels great! We worked hard over the last few practices to prepare for today and that preparation paid off. The team played a tough 60 minutes and really earned the win together.”

Bloomsburg tied the game with 2:44 left on the clock. The Marauders won the subsequent draw control, but the Huskies managed to regain the ball. Bloomsburg Natalie Sukanick caused a turnover to give possession to Millersville and head coach Cindy Wilson then called timeout. After the timeout, Marauder Kayala Held managed to find Genevieve Speights who scooped up the final ground ball of the game and scored the game-winning goal with 40 seconds remaining in the game, which broke the tie with Bloomsburg and secured a victorious win for the Marauders.

“When I saw the clock and there was only a minute left I knew we needed to score. Kayla Held passed me the ball and I just shot it and hoped it went in but at first I didn’t see that it went in, but I looked at Kayla and she had a huge smile on her face and her hands were in the air so I had a feeling it went in and I just got instant chills. The whole game we played as one unit and we were setting each other up for success. I had a good feeling about this game because we came out full force and never game up even on their last free position shot with two seconds left our defense just played lights out and stopped the girl with the ball.” Speights said about the moment she felt when she scored.  Speights tied a season-high with four goals and Sara Burney also totaled four points with one goal and three assists. Sarah Leverentz, Gillian Zimmerman, Calie Swegon and Erin Fagan each scored one goal throughout the match.

As of right now, Millersville earns its first road win of the season with a 4-3 and 2-1 in the  PSAC, while Bloomsburg suffered their first home loss of the season (6-2, 2-1 PSAC).

The Marauders will confidently bring their A-game when they battle against Indiana University of Pennsylvania Saturday, says Wilson. The game starts at 1:00 pm at Biemesderfer Stadium on March 30th.