An eventful 2013 season for Shippensburg Men’s soccer saw the team improve their overall record by three wins from the previous year, finishing 9-7-2. The record got them fifth seed in the conference and qualified them for the PSAC quarterfinals.
Shippensburg scored 35 goals last year to their opponent’s 22. The Raiders hit their stride last year in weeks five and six, posting back-to-back 6-0 shutouts against the University of Pittsburg at Johnstown and Bloomsburg.
Twenty-one of 29 players currently in camp returned from last year, and the experience will be key for Ship in the upcoming season.
Redshirt senior Derrick Roy scored 11 of the team’s 35 goals last season, including four assists and four game-winners.
Senior defender Gregg Whitcomb anchored a tough defense that posted five shutouts, limited the opposition to six first-half goals and ranked fifth in the league in goals allowed.
Whitcomb and Roy are two of three All-PSAC performers to return this year. Midfielder Oli Templeton, who graduated this spring, was the third.
Captains for this year will be Whitcomb, Roy and senior Fred Lucas.
Sixth year head coach Jerry Spering will return for his seventh at the helm of the Soccer team. In three of the last four seasons Spering has guided the Raiders to nine plus victories, qualifying for two PSAC and NCAA Tournament berths as well.
The Raiders soccer team is set on improving on last year’s winning record, and with all of the returning talent they have a real shot to return to the playoffs.
Come out to see Raiders Soccer in their home opener at David See Field on Friday, September 5 at 7 p.m.
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