Revenge never tasted sweeter. The Shippensburg University field hockey team outplayed visiting Indiana University of Pennsylvania 5-1 at Robb Sports Complex on Tuesday. A big game from senior Taylor Jones and junior Bre White helped lead the Raiders to a huge victory. This was more than just another win for SU though.
SU and IUP played earlier this season and SU 3-1. The loss is SU’s only blemish on the season. Recently ranked No.1 in the PSAC, SU needed to come out and make a statement.
The Raiders got the scoring started with less than 30 minutes remaining in the first half. SU senior Kayla Harshman assisted Jones for her first goal on the day. IUP saw a chance to tie things up with a penalty stroke, but SU senior goalkeeper Ciarra Delost blocked senior Anouk Sickman’s shot. SU countered with a goal by senior Emily Kohlbus off the assist from sophomore Ari Saytar. IUP finally got on the board with a goal from senior Nicole Bruce. Heading into halftime SU lead 2-1.
The second half was the Jones and White show. White, with a penalty stroke of her own, scored to put SU up 3-1. Jones later scored off of a loose ball to put SU up 4-1. Then she assisted White with the last goal of the game to put the finishing touches on a 5-1 win.
“We knew they would be fired up, so we just had to shut them down immediately,” Jones said.
By reversing the fortune, Coach Bertie Landes was asked what new game strategy SU had coming into this one.
Landes said “Last time we tried to dribble through them, this time we tried to pass around them.”
With both teams definitely heading into regional play, they will most likely square off again.
“Regionally we are No.1 and we have to stay there to get the top seed, but we are ready,” Landes said.
SU’s next game is at home on Oct. 13 starting at noon against Mansfield University.
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