The Shippensburg University lacrosse team dropped a back-and-forth match in the final minute of the game Saturday against Gannon University, 9–8.

SU’s Allison Fugate gave the Raiders an 8–7 lead heading into the home stretch, but Gannon did not back down, turning up the heat on Shippensburg in the final 10 minutes.

The Golden Knights’ prayers were answered when Gannon’s Tessa Mitchell scored her fifth goal of the game to even up the score with just 10 minutes remaining. The Raiders continued to pour on the shots, finishing the game with 30 total but were unable to crack the Gannon goaltender to take control of the game.

The Golden Knights broke through, though, tallying their ninth and final goal with just a minute left in the game to seal the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup. Shippensburg’s loss drops the team to 6–5, 2–5 PSAC, continuing its in-conference woes.

Gannon was able to break through the Raider defense in the final minute twice in Saturday’s matchup. SU nearly took a 4-3 lead, which would have kept the momentum in Shippensburg’s favor, but a Golden Knight goal with 16 seconds left in the first half knotted the game at four all heading into halftime.

Despite ultimately dropping the game, the Raiders have consistently put up strong numbers in recent play, outshooting Gannon 30–22 and registering a lopsided 17–2 in draw controls on the day. The chances are coming for SU, but running into hot goaltenders and trouble converting opportunities has stung the Raiders early this season.

The Raiders found themselves in penalty trouble throughout Saturday’s matchup, committing 48 fouls in the game, where Gannon was able to capitalize. All nine of the Golden Knights’ goals came from free position attempts. Gannon held a substantial 48–20 advantage in fouls.

Shippensburg’s top performers on the day included Amanda Frank and Ali Harclerode, who both have been scoring at will to lead SU. Frank registered two goals and two assists giving her 42 points in 11 games this season. Harclerode’s hat trick gave the team life in the second half to tie the game at seven. Harclerode leads the team with 24 goals on the season.

Shippensburg’s two-game skid still leaves time to get back on track before playoffs hit. The Raiders have five PSAC matches remaining on the schedule.

SU is in the thick of its longest road trip this season, finishing up the stretch of road games at East Stroudsburg University tomorrow. The team will look to tally some in-conference wins to make its push for the PSAC playoffs.

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