MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Bloomsburg women's soccer team remained within striking distance throughout Wednesday night's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division contest but fell to Millersville, 1-0, at Pucillo Field.
The Huskies (0-2, 0-2 PSAC East) limited the Marauders (2-1, 1-1) to one goal despite facing 15 shots. Millersville's lone tally came on a penalty kick from Aubrey Strohecker in the 30th minute.
Bloomsburg produced two of the match's first three shots on goal. Olivia Thompson (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) tested Millersville goalkeeper Megan Taltavull in the 13th minute before Daryn Savage (Bensalem, Pa./Archbishop Wood) sent an attempt high less than three minutes later.
The Huskies continued to generate pressure and earned three corner kicks during the opening half while holding the Marauders without one. Niamh Fanning (New Freedom, Pa./Susquehannock) put another shot on frame in the 35th minute, forcing Taltavull to make her second save.
Bloomsburg entered halftime trailing by only one after playing Millersville nearly even in possession and holding a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks.
The Huskies' defense remained steady after the break as Millersville increased its offensive pressure. Bloomsburg blocked two shots during a brief stretch in the 56th and 57th minutes and held the Marauders scoreless over the final 60 minutes.
Goalkeeper Izzy Hoffeditz (Mercersburg, Pa./James Buchanan) made two saves, including a stop on Strohecker in the 84th minute that kept Bloomsburg within one. The Huskies also recorded a team save in the opening half.
Bloomsburg continued searching for the equalizer until the final whistle. Haley Bull (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) sent a shot high in the 55th minute, while Madelyn Blake (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) narrowly missed following a Huskies corner in the 81st. Thompson generated the final opportunity with 13 seconds remaining, sending a shot wide left.
Thompson led Bloomsburg with two shots, while Fanning joined her with an attempt on goal. The Huskies finished with six shots and held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Bloomsburg returns to Steph Pettit Stadium on Saturday to host Shippensburg in a PSAC East contest at 1 p.m.
