The Shippensburg University women’s soccer team was edged out in a back-and-forth match Friday against Edinboro University by a score of 3–1.

The Edinboro Fighting Scots stormed off to an early 2–0 lead, but toward the end of the half the Raiders began applying more sustained pressure to take the wind out of Edinboro’s sails.

At the start of the game, the Raiders had trouble creating offense, often stifled by strong play in the midfield by Edinboro. As the game went on, Shippensburg seemed to settle in and began stringing passes together and possessing the ball with purpose.

“I think having that momentum and the correct mindset is what helped us get our first goal,” said goalkeeper coach Zak Kruger.

SU freshman Paige Harris broke into open space to separate herself from the defense, creating a breakaway against the Edinboro goalie. Harris slotted the ball into the corner, cutting the deficit in half, just before halftime. Harris’s goal, her second of the season, came at a vital time for the Raiders, as they attempted to mount a comeback against the Scots.

“We did a good job of keeping possession in transition, and I think that really helped us have a more attacking mindset,” Kruger said.

The team had a lengthy discussion at halftime, and the message was clear. The Raiders needed to continue creating chances and forcing the opposition to play in its own end.

“We talked about having that attacking mindset and to go forward when possible,” Kruger said. “We stressed the topic of good communication and working for each other as a whole.”

Shippensburg came out with fire in the second half, but in the 58th minute of the game, Edinboro midfielder Ashley Mutkus netted her second goal of the game as an insurance marker against SU, securing the victory for her squad.

With seven minutes remaining, team captain Casey Rightmyer made a run between two defenders, receiving a ball in alone on goal. The Edinboro goalie made a diving save to preserve the Fighting Scots’ 3-1 lead.

A pair of corner kicks in the dying minutes of the game would prove to be the final chances for SU, but both deflections skittered just wide.

The loss dropped the Raiders to a 2-2 record, but the team is optimistic that it can improve over the duration of the season.

“The expectations are high for this group and there is a lot of room for growth,” Kruger said.

The Raiders bounced back Saturday, as they took on Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference rival, Slippery Rock Univerity.

It was a defensive matchup, with the Raiders coming out on top, 1-0. Junior Bailey Bzdak slotted home the game winner late in the first half on an odd-man rush.

Later in the week, the women will hit the road, looking to take two more important victories against the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Goldey-Beacom College. The Raiders will be on the road until their Sept. 21 meeting with rival Kutztown University.

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