The Shippensburg University field hockey team defeated Mansfield University, 2-1, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup on Saturday afternoon from the Robb Sports Complex.
The Raiders put together a good effort in the win, totaling 21 shots and putting 14 of them on goal. The team is generally a high-scoring team, averaging 3.67 goals per game so far this season. Mansfield held SU to only two goals, well below the team’s average.
“We are creating the opportunities, but we aren’t finishing in the circle,” coach Tara Zollinger said. “So I think that is the reason why we didn’t score as many goals as we would like to.”
Although the team did not finish in the circle on Saturday, it still was able to put together a good performance for a crucial win.
The scoring began in the 13th minute when SU freshman forward/midfielder Adrienne McGarrigle scored her first career goal to put the Raiders on top.
The SU defense had a dominating game against Mansfield, only allowing seven shots (four on goal). One of those shots got past goalkeeper Ally Mooney, who made three saves on the day. Mansfield tied the game up in the 25th minute when Gabby Hieber got one past Mooney off a penalty corner shot.
It did not take long for the Raiders to bounce back, as sophomore Jazmin Petrantonio weaved her way through the Mansfield defense and scored a goal from 10 yards out to help SU retake the lead.
SU’s offense could benefit from receiving a more balanced effort in the scoring department.
Petrantonio currently leads the team in goals with 13, and the next highest goal total on the team is five from junior Megan Green. Petrantonio is also tied for the lead in goals in the PSAC.
“I think that the will to be the person that puts the ball in the back of the net [is important]. We need a few more people to step up and be that scorer for us,” Zollinger said.
On Petrantonio’s play for the game-winning goal, she used fancy stick work to help navigate her way through the defense before ripping a shot past the Mansfield goalkeeper to give SU the deciding tally, showing her will to be the team’s main scorer. Petrantonio has been having a great season, leading the Raiders in both points (29) and goals (13).
The Raiders were heading into Saturday’s game against Mansfield looking to bounce back after getting shut out for the second time this season by PSAC rival East Stroudsburg University. While the game was tight all the way through, SU showed on Saturday that it can bounce back from a tough loss.
“We are working to just keep building and keep growing,” Zollinger said. “Regardless of the score we want to be able to win stepping off the field, and how we do that in those games where we don’t win on the scoreboard is going back, reviewing film and talking about what areas we could have been better.”
The No. 4-ranked Raiders (7-2, 1-1 PSAC) currently sit in fifth place in the conference following the victory over Mansfield. SU next takes on PSAC rival West Chester University (7-1, 2-0 PSAC) in what will surely be a battle between two of the conference’s best teams this afternoon from David See Field.
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