The Shippensburg University field hockey team continued its historic run on Saturday by taking down Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rival Mercyhurst University, 1–0, in Erie, Pa.
SU’s leading goal scorer, Katelyn Grazan, was able to pot her ninth goal of the season just before the end of the first half to give the Raiders a 1–0 advantage. Her goal would prove to be the game winner, marking her fifth game-winning goal of the season — more than double the next closest PSAC player’s total.
Shippensburg was able to find success against a rebounding Mercyhurst team who had gained some momentum by winning its previous two games. SU was able to keep Mercyhurst pinned in its own end for the majority of the game by taking every chance it had to put the ball on net. The Raiders were able to outshoot the Lakers, 19–2, and did not surrender a chance in the second half.
SU’s victory over Mercyhurst will go down as another shutout for goaltender Ally Mooney. In just her sophomore season, Mooney has already racked up a league-leading 10 shutouts.
The Raider’s win streak is now nearing double digits. Its success rate has been nearly impossible for its competition to replicate this season, as the Raiders have built a comfortable two-game lead over the rest of the pack.
Through its suffocating defense and its relentless offense, the 2016 Raiders have been the stars of the PSAC this season. But, SU still has its toughest task waiting for it before the PSAC Championships begin in November.
The Raiders will travel to East Stroudsburg University on Saturday to try to avenge their only loss of the season, which came to the Warriors, 1–0, on Sept. 17.
If SU can contain East Stroudsburg’s high-powered offense, it will extend its winning-streak to 10 games, which is the best of any team in the PSAC this season. Shippensburg faces off against East Stroudsburg at 1:00 p.m. on Oct. 22.
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