The Shippensburg University women’s soccer team was unable to get a pivotal win against Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) on Saturday that would have guaranteed a berth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs.
SU will close out its season on the outside looking in with a 10–7–1 record.
The Raiders’ match with IUP was an absolute battle, with SU fighting back from a one-goal deficit to start the game.
The Crimson Hawks came out flying, as midfielder Brandie Bryant scored her first goal of the season less than three minutes into the game.
SU fought back, though, as Mallory Patterson’s free kick beat the IUP goalie for her first goal of the season 12 minutes later.
Shippensburg briefly gained the lead off of a cross from Tori Mills. SU forward Kat Hartner gave the Raiders their only lead of the game with her second goal of the season.
Just before the first half’s whistle, IUP’s Bryant got her second goal of the game, and of the season, to tie SU, 2–2. The two sides regrouped and entered the second half much more defensively sound. Both teams created chances, but neither team was able to convert its opportunities.
IUP had possession on SU’s half of the field for the majority of the game, but SU goalie Leah Roy’s 10 saves kept her team in it. The Crimson Hawks were firing shots from everywhere, piling up 25 overall, with 12 reaching the goal. Roy’s 10 saves is her second best total of the season.
SU’s offense was unable to carry its strong play into the overtime periods, and managed just one shot.
Defensively, SU clamped down to secure the draw, but it was not enough to clinch a playoff berth. SU dropped out of the running for the last two spots, as a tiebreaker sent IUP and Bloomsburg University to the PSAC playoffs.
SU’s tie left its fate in Bloomsburg University’s hands.When the Huskies secured a 2–1 victory over Clarion University, it vaulted Bloomsburg over both IUP and SU. IUP won the tiebreaker over SU with a win over No. 3 Edinboro University. Both SU and IUP had 25 points.
The Raiders will have to wait another year to make a run for the PSAC Championship. PSACs begin today at West Chester University.
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