The Shippensburg University field hockey team moved to a perfect 3–0 in its young season when it defeated both Southern Connecticut State University and Saint Michael’s College this weekend. 

Strong efforts from sophomore Jazmin Petrantonio and freshman Jenna Sluymer helped the Raiders stay undefeated. Petrantonio single-handedly led SU to its 5–0 win over Southern Connecticut State by scoring four goals. The sophomore is currently tied with Sluymer for the team lead in both points (8) and goals (4) this season. 

Sluymer has emerged as one of the team’s best players through the first three games. After tallying the Raiders’ lone two goals to help them defeat Saint Michael’s on Sunday afternoon, it is safe to say that her fantastic start to the season is for real. 

The weekend got off to a great start for Shippensburg when it cruised to a 5-0 win in a dominating effort from the entire team. SU outshot Southern Connecticut State 31-4 and from the very beginning had the game in hand. Petrantonio scored four goals, the first time that a Raider has accomplished that feat since Kristina Taylor achieved the same against Southern Connecticut State in 2011. 

Sunday’s win over Saint Michael’s came at great difficulty, as it took two goals from Sluymer to come from behind to win. After giving up a goal in the seventh minute of the game, Sluymer exploded for two goals within 10 minutes of each other to give the Raiders a lead they would never give back, going on to win 2–1. 

Sluymer finished the weekend with two goals on 12 shots, eight of which went on goal. The Raiders have been using Sluymer’s hot streak to help them overcome a lack of scoring depth this season. Sluymer and Petrantonio have combined to score eight of the team’s 10 goals thus far. While this has worked up until this point for SU, the Raiders are going to need a more balanced offensive effort if they are to repeat as national champions this season. 

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