UDC Men’s Soccer Battles Hard But Falls To Millersville University 3-2.

UDC Men's Soccer battled through bad weather and a sluggish start today against Millersville University, but they were unable to hold on for the win.  The Marauders outlasted the Firebirds winning on a penalty kick goal from Ethan Daubert with 1:33 remaining in the game.  The Firebirds fall to 7-4-3 on the year while the Marauders advance to 8-4-1.

Millersville struck quickly as Aaron Roland scored on a rebound in front of the net just 5:30 into the game.  The Marauders then struck again under seven minutes later at the 12:06 mark as forward Ryan Rohrer fired a left footed laser past UDC sophomore goalie Kyle Heatherington (Collingwood Ontario, Canada – Collingwood Collegiate Institute) just inside the low left post.  As the rain began to come down harder and harder by the second, the game seemed to be slipping away from the Firebirds.  UDC Head Coach Matt Thompson was able to rally the troops, however, as the Firebirds mounted an impressive comeback.

At the 36:08 mark in the first half UDC junior midfielder Adriel Garcia (Sau Paulo, Brazil – Anglo Campinas) fired a left footed rocket of his own finding the low right hand corner just inside the post.  Garcia's goal was assisted by freshman midfielder Atunde Akum (Beltsville, MD (Ghana) – High Point HS) and freshman midfielder Ben Diaz (Silver Spring, MD (El Salvador) – Northwood HS).  The Firebirds continued to fight hard, getting the tying goal from junior midfielder Tansu Korkmaz (Istanbul, Turkey – Ozel Dogan Lisesi) off a penalty kick with just under 4:00 to play in the first half.  The game was tied 2-2 at the half.

The second half was played under increasingly sloppy weather conditions, with neither team getting overly close to taking the advantage.  The match appeared to be heading into extra time as it approached the final minutes.  The Firebirds were called for a foul inside the box with just under 1:30 to play.  Millersville took advantage closing out the match with a penalty kick goal by Ethan Daubert.

UDC returns to action on Saturday at home against Pittsburg Johnstown at 2:00.  Saturday's game is part of the UDC Soccer Youth Day.  For more information on the youth day visit:  http://static.psbin.com/4/k/oclbtiyjpufkhi/Soccer_Youth_Day-1-.pdf.