One down, a season to go

95wsoccer_trexler — **Photo by Ryan Trexler** / The Slate

Junior Carolyn Smith tries to protect the ball as Holy Family University’s Ashley DeOrio dives toward it in Thursday afternoon’s game at Robb Sports Complex. The Raiders blanked Holy Family 3-0.

The Shippensburg University women’s soccer team came away with its first victory of the 2013 season Thursday afternoon defeating Holy Family University 3–0.

Both teams started slowly until SU’s Kate Zech had a prime opportunity to record the Raiders’ first goal 17 minutes into the game. Unfortunately, HFU goalkeeper Sienna Smith deflected the shot, keeping SU off the board.

After Zech’s shot, the Raiders recorded 10 shots in the first period while HFU only mustered half as many.

Both goalies were stellar in the first half. Raider goalkeeper Shelbie Rackley saved three shots while Smith saved four. After light back-and-forth action, the first half ended in a deadlock at zero.

SU came out of half firing all on cylinders, recording two shots on goal within three minutes of the start of the second half. The Raiders kept the pressure going throughout the second half and finally got on the board when sophomore defender Brianna Brancato collected a rebound from a free kick and put the ball in the back of the net from 28 yards out.

The Raiders never looked back from there.

SU added two goals to its lead in the second half. One from junior forward Brooke Clippinger off a sliding shot that found the back-right side of the net. Another goal from sophomore defender Kaila Dautrich, who recovered a corner kick, settled the ball and delivered a strike that made it past Smith.

Clippinger joked after the game saying, “I was the only forward last year who didn’t score….it was like a break through.”

As a junior, Clippinger is going to be a huge impact player for the Raiders on offense. SU is going to need Clippinger to contribute as many goals as possible this season if it wants to make a run at the PSAC playoffs.

The Raiders’ spirits are high coming off the first win of the season but they will not have too much time to celebrate the win because they are off Friday but get right back on the field when they travel to Edinboro University on Saturday.

Edinboro dropped its first game 2–1 against Millersville University. The Raiders will look to capture another win Saturday afternoon. The start time is set for 1 p.m.