Millersville, Pa. - The Millersville men’s soccer team dropped its second-straight game for the first time since the 2009 season.  Philadelphia scored two unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes of play to top the No. 14 Marauders by a score of 2-1 Wednesday at Biemsderfer Stadium.

The Marauders (5-2) and Rams (3-5) played to a scoreless first half. Millersville outshot Philadelphia in the first side by a margin of 7-4, but put zero shots on goal. The Rams fired two shots on goal in the side that were turned away by Millersville goalkeeper Brad Benzing (5-2).

The Marauders controlled of the ball near the baseline early in the second half. Sophomore Andrew Dukes gained possession just to the left of the goal. Dukes centered the ball to the penalty circle to find Pat Baffuto all alone. Baffuto struck the ball toward the far right of the goal to beat the Rams’ Alex Heston, and put Millersville up 1-0.

Millersville continued to dominate the offensive zone in the second session. The Marauders held a 10-5 shots margin in the half. Millersville finished the game with a combined margin of 17-9. The Marauders also held Philadelphia to zero corner attempts in the match.

The Rams had few scoring chances in the match, but made the most of the ones they got. In the 71st minute, Philadelphia’s Dominic Rodriguez pushed the attack into the offensive zone. Rodriguez found teammate Ian Martin coming down the far side. Martin collected the ball and drilled it left side to beat Benzing, tying the game at 1-1.

Ten minutes later, the Rams found a second goal. Adam Miller crossed the ball into the box to find Rodriguez coming down the right side. Rodriguez placed it far side to take the lead and give Philadelphia the eventual win.

The last time Millersville lost back-to-back games was in its final two games of the 2009 season. The Marauders fell in the PSAC Championship game to Slippery Rock before losing in the first round of the NCAA Atlantic Regional to Charleston (W.Va.).

Millersville is back in action this Saturday, Oct. 1 when it travels to West Virginia Wesleyan. The Marauders and Bobcats are slated for a 2 p.m. game time.

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