This Shippensburg University field hockey team just will not crack under pressure.
Shippensburg’s Emily Barnard put home a loose ball in the box with just 13 seconds left in the game to lift the Raiders above Slippery Rock University, 2–1.
Slippery Rock gave Shippensburg all it could handle Saturday, putting pressure on SU’s defense with strong counter attacks throughout game. Just six minutes into the game, an SU defender made a last second stick save to prevent Slippery Rock from opening the scoring.
At times, Slippery Rock had SU’s goalie Ally Mooney like a fish out of water sprawling in front of the goal. But each time, Mooney came up huge to make the save.
Junior Kylie Huffman ripped a shot off of a corner to beat Slippery Rock’s goaltender for her fourth goal of the season. Huffman’s goal seemed to grab the momentum for SU, as it had Slippery Rock hemmed in its defensive zone for the remainder of the first half.
Within the first minute of the start of the second half, Slippery Rock managed to finally beat Mooney. It was a fluky goal from a stoppage that slipped through an array of SU defenders. The ball somehow trickled through the defense, where a Slippery Rock attacker was waiting to tap it in. This was only the fourth goal allowed by the Raiders all season. The early goal seemed to kick-start SU, but nerves were high as the game progressed.
The Raiders had success working the ball to its wingers, but Slippery Rock locked down defensively in front of its net. Every time SU seemed to have Slippery Rock down and out, a quick counter attack for Slippery Rock would create dangerous chances against the Raiders.
Despite such lopsided numbers, SU had to depend on Mooney to make key saves throughout the game.
“Mooney is just a great goalie. She just directs traffic back there. She’s just in control of the circle and our defense is playing well around her,” SU head coach Bertie Landes said.
The Raiders created several scoring chances in front of the goal, but blocked shots by the Slippery Rock defense frustrated SU attackers.
Overtime seemed like a lock between the two teams, but a last-second push from the Raiders created a multitude of rebounds, with the last one being buried by Barnard with just a few seconds remaining.
“I just knew we could score if we could just get our stick on the ball,” Landes said. “We had many, many opportunities, but fortunately we made the most of it at the end.” SU’s late goal now improves its record to 12–1 on the season.
Since SU’s loss to East Stroudsburg University, Shippensburg has been dominant. The SU squad has proved game after game it belongs with the top teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
The Raiders team that has battled physically and mentally throughout the season always has a knack for coming out on top.
“I think just the mental toughness with Amanda Strous’ death. I think we’re so dedicated to doing our best every moment and caring for each other and making each other look good,” Landes said. “Those were the themes she had and I think it’s engrained in them right now.”
SU has pushed all season long. Coach Landes and this unified group all believe the team has what it takes to become champions.
Shippensburg will hit the road, for the next few weeks. The Raiders next matchup is at Millersville University Wednesday, where SU will look to continue its dominance as the top team in the PSAC.
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