Millersville, Pa. – Junior forward Matt Kadoch scored the game's only goal in the 84th minute to secure a 1-0 win over California (Pa.) and Millersville's second NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship in four seasons.

Millersville (14-6-1) now advances to the NCAA Quarterfinals for just the second time in school history and will host the winner of of the Midwest Region on Saturday, Nov. 19. But the Marauders entered the Atlantic Regional final with one of the toughest tests a team can face in a season--beating the same team three times in a season. The Marauders edged California (Pa.) (12-4-4) in the regular season by a score of 1-0 and knocked the Vulcans out of the PSAC Tournament by a score of 4-0. CalU, yet to score a goal on Millersville in 2011, looked to be due heading into Saturday evening's title game.

The game was evenly matched in the first half of play. Both teams fired off four shots with Millersville recording the only shot on goal in the half. Sophomore Andrew Dukes struck the ball from 20 yards out that found the mitts of CalU's goalkeeper Charlie Dagnal midway through the session.

The Vulcans had two promising scoring chances in the side with clear angled shots that were sent just wide keeping the game scoreless at the break.

The second half resembled the first with neither team could finding that important first goal as time continued to count down. Millersville had a golden opportunity with less than 30 minutes to go when Dukes collected the ball off a blocked header attempt by Aaron Roland. Dukes sent the ball on goal but saw the Vulcans' goalkeeper punch it up and over the frame.

Heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation the game to on the feel of overtime as the clock continued to click with no goals on the board. And then it happened.

The Marauders, putting pressure on the offensive zone, earned a throw-in on the far side from 15 yards out. Senior Ethan Daubert, whose throw-ins often resemble corner kicks, lined up for the toss. Daubert chucked the ball into the box and it bounced off the chest of Ryan Rohrer before finding its way to Kadoch who collected the ball at the penalty dot. Kadoch spun to his right and fired in a low shot that found the back of the net to give Millersville a 1-0 lead with 16 minutes to play.

CalU showed no signs of calling it quits. The Vulcans found what looked to be a game tying goal when Edin Sabic found himself one-on-one with Millersville goalkeeper Brad Benzing. Benzing rushed up on Sabic to take his angle away. Sabic fired the ball, hitting Benzing's leg, which sent it out of bounds for a Vulcan throw-in.

With less than two minutes to play the Marauders continued to kick the ball deep into CalU territory to run at the clock. The Vulcans were unable to get any final scoring chance, turning the ball over each time they threatened the Millersville defense. CalU sent one final shot high over the goal frame with six seconds remaining leading to an early Millersville celebration.

Benzing collected his fifth-straight shutout, fourth of the postseason and now has 10 shutouts on the season. Benzing is one shutout behind the Millersville single-season record that was set by current assistant coach Matt Langione in 2008. The team tied the 2008 team for shutouts in a season with 11.

Millersville now hosts the NCAA Quarterfinal at Chryst Field at Biemsderfer Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19. The two remaining teams in the Midwest are Rockhurst and Northern Kentucky, which square off in its regional title game Sunday at 2 p.m.

Check back to www.millersvilleathletics.com in the upcoming week for more details of next week's NCAA Quarterfinal.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13