In the first round of the PSAC Playoffs, the field hockey team dropped a heartbreaker, surrendering an overtime goal to suffer a 3-2 loss to Bloomsburg University.
Shippensburg twice erased single-goal deficits, but allowed the game-winning goal in overtime to the Huskies, who were playing down one player due to a green card.
The Huskies scored the opening goal of the game in the 24th minute when Laura Gerhard jumped on a rebound and snuck it into the goal to give Bloomsburg the 1-0 lead.
Just three minutes later, the Raiders responded when senior Molly Stuart maneuvered through several defenders and launched a pass to junior Kendall Beck, who sent a reverse hit into the right side of the goal to even the game.
Deep into the second half, Bloomsburg regained the lead when Jackie Shragher notched her second goal of the season off of an assist from Sam Peters.
Despite another 1-goal deficit, the Raiders displayed resiliency and managed to once again even the game. Just a few minutes after Bloomsburg’s score, Kendall Beck scored her second goal of the game by tipping a ball into the top portion of the net off an assist from Suzanne Miller. The goal was Beck’s eighth of the season and the game-tying goal, which would send the match into overtime.
In overtime, the Huskies gained control of a loose ball and raced up the field, notching the game-winning goal just 22 seconds into the extra period. The golden goal effectively ended SU’s hopes at another PSAC title, as well another national championship. The loss versus Bloomsburg caused the Raiders’ ranking to drop, resulting in them failing to secure a NCAA playoff bid from the tournament committee.
The Raiders ended their season at 13-5, and will return most of its roster next season, as only three players (Taylor Webster, Ari Saytar and Molly Stuart) have run out of eligibility years.
Goalkeeper Taylor Webster finished her career with 16 wins and seven shutouts.
Defensive Specialist Ari Saytar bounced back from a season-ending injury in 2014 and logged 16 starts this season. Saytar was a second-team all PSAC defender in SU’s title run in 2013.
Molly Stuart started every game this season and was awarded numerous All-Academic Squad Awards during her collegiate career.
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