It has been a great two weeks for the Shippensburg University women’s lacrosse team, as the team started its 2017 campaign with three consecutive victories.
The Raiders defeated Wilmington University of Delaware in their season opener Feb. 25 before winning Feb. 28 against Shepherd University in dramatic fashion and blowing out Alderson Broaddus University March 4.
On Tuesday, the Raiders hosted Shepherd to open their home schedule, and won a thriller, scoring a free-position goal with 27 seconds left to shock the Rams, 9–8. Max Barkley won the ensuing draw and the Raiders held possession for the final 27 seconds on the way to the win.
The Raiders led 8–5 with 19 minutes left in regulation, but Shepherd came roaring back with three goals to tie the score with 9:14 left to play. The team’s exchanged scoring opportunities, but neither team could find the back of the net, with the Raiders hitting the post twice.
SU’s Allison Fugate crashed the net hard and capped off the game for the Raiders with the game-winning goal. The goal was Fugate’s second goal of the game.
Amanda Frank was spectacular for the Raiders once again, notching her second hat trick of the season against the Rams. Frank scored two of her goals on free positions and was also key on defense, adding a pair of caused turnovers and groundballs. Ali Harclerode scored twice in the Raider victory.
The Raiders then hosted Alderson Broaddus on Saturday, shutting the door on the Battlers early with 11 first-half goals en route to a 16–3 win.
Frank led the way for the Raiders scoring four goals Saturday while tallying two assists, as one of five Raiders with multiple goals on the day. Harclerode, Barkley, Fugate and Morgan Whiteside each scored twice.
The defense was the story of the day for the Raiders as Valerie Hertz had a remarkable day, recording an incredible seven caused turnovers and six draw controls to go along with three groundballs. Hertz’s seven caused turnovers are the most by a Raider since Gayle Kuntzmann had seven on April 26, 2008. No Raider has registered more than four caused turnovers in a game over the last seven years.
Annemarie Cericola had six groundballs, while Makenzie Magnotta and Kyra Shank each had three. Frank had a nice all-around effort, adding three groundballs in addition to her six points.
Other goal scorers on the day included Jordan Kengor, Kathleen Mirgon, Madi Newman and Morgan Stone. Mirgon’s goal was the first of her career.
In goal, Bridgette Morrissey made one first-half save en route to the victory. Laney Ballard made three saves in the second half and yielded just one goal.
The Raiders edged the Battlers 38–8 in shots, held a 30–16 advantage in groundballs and won 13 of the 20 draws in the match. SU also forced seven errant clears by Alderson Broaddus.
The Raiders, 3–0, will return to the field Friday when they face off against Findlay University. The opening draw is set for 3 p.m. at Robb Sports Complex.
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