The 2016 season looked promising for the Shippensburg University men’s soccer team, but has quickly turned into one to forget. Despite the team starting the season with five wins in the month of September, the Raiders have now gone winless so far in October.
SU travelled to Goldey-Beacom College in Delaware on Thursday, Oct. 13, and then to Concord University in West Virginia on Monday, Oct. 17, for two-straight games. SU lost these games 3–1 and 1–0, respectively.
The most recent game for SU was against California University this past Saturday. The game ended with a score of 1–0 in favor of California. It was a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game, and it dropped SU to 2–8 in conference games.
It was a defensive battle for the entire first half, with neither team finding a way through the other’s defense. The Raiders actually had the majority of the pressure in the second half, but were unable net a goal.
The winning goal came for California 12 minutes before the end of the game. California was given a throw-in that was launched into the box where it was headed into the net to give the Vulcans a 1–0 lead.
Ship goalkeeper Raimist had seven saves on the day and had an impressive performance all day in net.
SU’s game versus California was also senior day. Shippensburg University seniors Evan Raimist, Colten Arnold, Collin McConnell, and Tyler Whitehead were all honored before the game along with their families.
The SU offense has been struggling ever since the first couple weeks of the season. The Raiders averaged two goals a game in September, but in October, they have been averaging one goal a game. The defense has let in the same rate of goals, but the offense has been scoring less. So games that may have been wins in September, are now mounting in the loss column for the Raiders.
The Raiders will next play Chowan University at home this Tuesday.
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