The Shippensburg University women’s soccer team defeated Clarion University with a final score of 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at David See Field. 

The Raiders needed to show they had the ability to bounce back after experiencing a tough loss last weekend to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rival Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) 1-0, and that is exactly what the team did. 

SU battled Clarion the whole game and exchanged scoring chances. However, it was a goal by junior Izzy Weigel in the 80th minute that proved to be the difference on Saturday. 

The junior midfielder led the SU offense with five shots, three shots on goal and the game-winning goal. It was Weigel’s team-leading fourth goal of the season. She is currently tied for fourth in the PSAC in goals. One goal was all that it took to support another strong effort in goal from sophomore goalkeeper Delaney Shifflett. 

Shifflett struggled in her freshman season, but she made drastic improvements during the offseason and has come back a much better player. The sophomore totaled eight saves in the win over Clarion. Saturday’s win represented her third shutout of the season. Shifflett is tied for second in the PSAC in shutouts and fifth in the conference in goals against average (.600). 

The Raiders have taken advantage of Shifflett’s improved performance in goal to go 4-1 so far this season. The team’s confidence in its goalkeeper can go a long way toward helping to take some pressure away from the offense. The SU offense has struggled over the last three games, scoring only three goals in that stretch. Due to Shifflett’s fantastic play in goal, the Raiders went 2-1 over those three games. 

The Raiders are currently 4-1, and they hold a record of 3-1 in the PSAC. The team is going to need to receive more offensive contribution throughout the lineup if it wants its success to continue. Only Weigel and Taylor Moore (three goals) have tallied more than one goal this season. 

On Saturday, Weigel’s goal was enough to get the team the victory over Clarion University. The Raiders’ lack of success during the loss against IUP last weekend showed itself in the first half of Saturday’s game, as Clarion outshot SU 10-5 in the first half, but Shifflett’s strong efforts in net kept the game scoreless. In the second half, the SU offense caught on fire and outshot Clarion 9-3 and outscored them 1-0. 

Saturday’s game against Clarion had an interesting start, as the Clarion team traveled to SU without their jerseys. They were forced to wear SU navy blue jerseys, and it got a bit confusing for the fans at the game watching two teams both wearing SU jerseys battling back and forth. 

The Raiders next take on Gannon University (4-2, 3-2 PSAC) on Friday at David See Field. This game is of note in the standings, as Gannon sits right behind SU and are tied with them in points with nine.

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