Record crowd witnesses Raiders' dominance over MU

Shippensburg University field hockey team continued its winning ways in a dominating 5–1 victory over Mansfield University Saturday afternoon, improving to a perfect 4–0 on the season.

It was the first time this season SU was on the road and it was one for the record books. The attendance of 2,011 set an all-time high for Division II field hockey and was the third highest in all of NCAA field hockey.

SU had the opportunity to strike first just two minutes into the game but MU goalie Kristie Rollman stopped Bre White’s shot, leaving the Raiders scoreless, despite the early chance.

It was all SU early on the offense had 15 shots just over the first 10 minutes of play but Mansfield’s goalie held her ground. Rollman saved an astonishing 22 shots in Saturday’s game.

SU got on the board when Taylor Bender hit one past the goalie 13 minutes into the game.
The Raiders notched another goal seven minutes later.

SU’s Tori Ricker played a ball off a deflection and lifted the ball over the goalie for her first goal of the season.

Ricker did not stop there as she notched another goal in the closing minutes of the first half. Ricker finished off a pass from White and found the back of the cage on the left side from 3 yards out.

That would be all the scoring in the first half as SU took a comfortable 3–0 lead heading into half time.

Less than five minutes into the second half, White played a ball off a deflection and took a shot from 5 yards out, scoring the unassisted goal to give the Raiders a 4–0 lead.

The goal was Whites fifth of the season.

The only Mansfield goal of the game came when Brianna Velepec knocked one past SU goalie Carenna Neely from 4 yards out. Neely finished the day with five saves.

The Raiders added an assurance goal when freshman Kendall Beck crossed in front of the goal and scored from the left side of the field. Bender was credited with the assist. The goal was Beck’s first in a Raider uniform.

The Raiders looked unstoppable in the game with 46 total shots attempted, compared to only 10 by Mansfield.

SU has been stellar this season, as it has outscored opponents 21–5 during the first four games.

The Raiders will be back in action tomorrow, and looking to remain undefeated when they host Kutztown at 5 p.m.