Women’s lacrosse is back in the winning column.

A last-second goal broke the team’s five-game losing streak Saturday as Shippensburg University toppled Edinboro University, 8–7.

SU’s Allison Fugate had the golden goal, cutting through the Fighting Scots’ defense to fire home her 26th of the season and fourth point of the game just before the final buzzer. Fugate’s goal gives the Raiders life before heading home for senior day and the team’s final game of the season.

The final drive began with senior Annemarie Cericola stripping Edinboro of the ball and sending it north, finding Fugate with just seconds remaining to clinch the team’s first win since April 4.

The team’s victory was fueled by its balanced scoring, with six different players registering goals on the day.

A strong start for the Raiders was integral in the victory. After surrendering the first goal, the team fired back with four of its own, never allowing the Fighting Scots to take over for the rest of the game.

SU carried a 5–2 lead heading into halftime in one of its best defensive showings all season. Edinboro’s offense started connecting in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, storming back with a solid effort to tie the game at 5–5 in front of its home fans.

Edinboro got close to pulling off the comeback, though, evening the score with the Raiders three times after trading goals for much of the second half. But Shippensburg locked down defensively to prevent the Fighting Scots from taking control.

After a rough performance Tuesday against West Chester, the team’s defense came up huge, limiting the Fighting Scots to just 14 shots on the day. Goaltender Bridgette Morrissey turned in four key saves en route to Shippensburg’s big win.

Saturday’s breakout performances were courtesy of Fugate, Kyra Shank, Ali Harclerode and Valerie Hertz. Fugate’s game winning goal capped off a trio of assists, which is a career high for the junior. Shank has stepped up this season to provide goals at important times, and her two goals and one assist in the first half highlighted Shippensburg’s strong start.

Hertz cleaned up defensively, pacing the team with five caused turnovers. She went on to add four ground balls in the victory. Harclerode added two goals, adding to her team-high 30 goals on the season.

Shippensburg will look to harness the momentum from grabbing a road victory for the team’s final game of the season on April 29 against Slippery Rock University. Five seniors will be recognized for their contributions to the program on senior day, including Max Barkley, Annemarie Cericola, Amanda Frank, Ali Harclerode and Julia Wise.

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