The Shippensburg University field hockey team sailed to a 5–1 victory over Mansfield University in its first PSAC matchup on Friday afternoon.
The Raiders started the game strong, scoring 1 minute, 46 seconds into the game when senior forward Megan Jett finished a well-placed pass from senior defender Katie Shoop. Jett’s goal dribbled past the Mountaineers goalie, sending SU up 1–0.
With the goal Jett now has six goals so far this season.
Senior Raider forward Lauren Taylor added another goal; also her sixth of the season, when she collected her own rebound, then fired a shot that found the back of the cage, taking the Raiders’ lead to 2–0.
SU added its third straight goal when senior forward Taylor Bender redirected a pass from Jett; the shot hopped over the MU goalkeeper’s shoulders and trickled into the back of the cage.
MU added its only goal of the game four minutes before halftime, cutting the Mountaineers’ deficit to 3–1.
The second half started slow for the Raiders until Bender added her second goal and her fifth of the season when she knocked in a loose ball right in front of the cage, 15 minutes into the second half.
SU’s final goal of the game came when freshman forward Kendall Beck collected a pass from Shoop and found the back right of the cage, solidifying the Raiders’ 5–1 victory.
“It was my second career goal as a freshman and I was really excited, I had a lot of opportunities and I finally knocked one in,” Beck said.
The Raiders have another tough opponent Saturday when they take on Bloomsburg University. BU is coming off a dominate 5–0 victory over Kutztown University.
“We are going to prepare like we did for West Chester because we knew that was a big game and we feel like Bloomsburg is going be an even bigger competition now. They are going to be out for us because we are on a winning streak,” Beck said.
The Huskies will look to end the Raiders’ eight game winning streak when they come to Robb Sports Complex Saturday afternoon, game time is set for 3 p.m.
Kendall Beck registered her second goal of the season in Friday’s victory. Photo by Ryan Trexler
Megan Jett (25) scored SU’s first goal during Friday’s game. Photo by Brendan Gates
Raider senior goalie Carenna Neely recorded eight saves in SU’s first PSAC win. Photo by Brendan Gates.
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