The Shippensburg University women’s soccer team scored three goals after halftime, including a golden goal in the 96th minute, to secure a 3–2 victory over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent Mansfield University this past Saturday.

Shippensburg trailed the Mountaineers on two separate occasions, but remained resilient, eventually scoring the game-winner off the boot of senior Sharon Juarez in overtime to spoil Mansfield’s Senior Day.

Mansfield opened the scoring by way of Delaney Meadows’ sixth goal of the season. Meadows’ goal remained the only score of the first 45 minutes, and the Raiders went into halftime trailing the Mountaineers, 1–0.

Then, the senior-night-hero Paige Harris went to work. The freshman wasted no time coming out of the gates in the second half, scoring her fifth goal of the year in the 51st minute to knot the game, 1–1.

The Raiders conceded another goal to Mansfield in the 54th minute, but drew even with just around 10 minutes left in the game. It was Harris again; senior Casey Rightmyer found the freshman on a long pass from the right side, and Harris did not miss, tying the game at two.

With the score tied at the end of regulation, the Raiders and Mountaineers moved into overtime.

A frenzied series of events ensued in front of the Mansfield goal just five minutes into the overtime period. SU junior Kat Hartner sent a shot across the box, hitting the far post. Juarez then jumped on the opportunity, scoring her first and most timely goal of the season to push the Raiders past Mansfield, 3–2.

Statistically, the game was close, as well. Shippensburg edged Mansfield in total shots, 25–20, shots on goal, 9–6, and in corners, 5–2.

In net, junior Kayla Kennedy recorded four saves, while Mansfield goalkeeper Sarah Nezelek recorded five in her first start of the season. Rachel Fox then relieved Nezelek, conceding two goals and recording one save in her 33 minutes of game time.

Harris’ two-goal effort was the second time the freshman had posted a multiple-goal game this season. Last time came against Clarion on SU’s Senior Day last week, when Harris scored the Raider’s only two goals, including the game winner. Four of her six goals on the season have come in the past two games.

The Raiders will be in action again on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Lock Haven University. The squad can clinch a PSAC tournament berth with a win over the Lady Eagles. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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