It was raining goals Tuesday, with the Shippensburg University women’s lacrosse team edging out Kutztown University, 15–14.

The competitiveness between the teams led to dueling hat tricks, which powered the Raiders in the offensive showdown. But just when the team had a comfortable lead, a pair of last minute goals rallied the Golden Bears to cut the deficit to one with a minute remaining.

The Raiders fought off a last-minute charge to close out the game, but it was tough sledding from the second half on for SU. At half, Shippensburg had tallied 10 goals against Kutztown, its most in a half this season.

Amanda Frank and Ali Harclerode stepped up to put on huge performances for the Raiders, lighting up the score sheet like a Christmas tree to total 11 points between the two.

The offensive juices were flowing early for SU. Harclerode and Allison Fugate both scored hat tricks in the game, where Harlcerode scored four goals before the halftime whistle to give SU the advantage, 10–6 at the break.

Kutztown never quit, however, as the Golden Bears continued to chip away at Shippensburg’s advantage.

KU’s Sarah Gabriele netted six goals and an assist, but it was not enough to dethrone the Shippensburg lead despite outshooting the Raiders, 35–23.

Kutztown excelled in second-half draws to maintain possession against the Raiders, 13–1, but SU forced 30 turnovers throughout the game, something the team has become accustomed to doing this season. In six games, Shippensburg’s tight checking on defense has forced opponents to turn the ball over at least 23 times in each game.

SU goalkeeper Bridgette Morrissey, who came up huge for SU, turned in a career-best 13 saves to turn away the onslaught of offense from Kutztown late in the game.

Balanced scoring has fueled the team so far this season, and Tuesday’s matchup was no different. Four different players for the Raiders tallied at least five points in one of the team’s best offensive performances of the season.

Frank’s two-goal, four-assist performance adds to her team-leading 26 points on the season, defining her senior season in a big way.

Tuesday’s game was just the team’s second Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game this season, but in head coach Nicole Miller’s premier season as bench boss of the Raiders, the team is showing promise early in the season. Her squad tied its win total from last season in just six games thanks to SU’s tremendous start.

The team continues its push for Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) supremacy with a string of PSAC matchups against some of the top schools in Pennsylvania. The Raiders will have some home cooking for this coming week, facing off against Lock Haven University today.

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