The Shippensburg University lacrosse team inched closer to another playoff berth with a win against East Stroudsburg on Saturday, but questions still loom as to whether the team can vie for a championship.
The Raiders’ performance this year has been a far cry from the championship caliber teams that it has produced over recent years. SU has fallen to 3-4 in the PSAC conference and only 7-5 overall.
However, SU has put together complete games when it has needed it the most to stay in the playoff run because it has the playmakers it needs to threaten the opposition.
Lindsey Kennedy is leading the Raiders in goals in goals and total points for the second straight year. Her 26 goals on 40 shots give her an outstanding .520 shot percentage. Meanwhile, her 29 ground ball pickups also lead the SU team.
Bennett Widlake and Lauren Hauck also give the Raiders needed scoring depth. Hauck is the main facilitator on the team with a team high 21 assists while Widlake boasts 25 goals, second on the team.
Kayla Dalzell has been a steady contributor off the bench especially with her speed. Her shiftiness in the offensive zone has caused nightmares for opposing defenders. Dalzell who showed signs of promise in the five games that she played as a freshman, has taken advantage of her time on the field with 18 goals and more than 20 points.
On the defensive side of the ball, the main storyline has to be Ali Cross filling in for an injured Meghan Kearney. Cross, who had not played in net since her freshman year, has been shaky at times, but is keeping SU in games with tremendous saves. Cross is 5-4 in the nine games that she has played.
Meanwhile, senior Meagan Borgoyn anchors the SU defense. Borgoyn remains the heartbeat of the defense, picking up 25 ground balls. The 5 foot 2 inch Borgoyn is scrappy around the net and rarely lets anyone past her.
SU begins its biggest challenge over the course of this week as it faces three of the PSAC’s Top 5 teams. The Raiders playoff push relies heavily on the outcomes of these games.
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