The Shippensburg University women’s soccer team played well in its two games this week, but its efforts were not enough to notch victories against two of the top teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). They fell in back-to-back conference matchups against East Stroudsburg University and nationally-ranked West Chester University.

SU (4-6-0, 2-6-0 PSAC) first matched up against ESU at home and dominated the possession early and for most of the game.  

The Raiders led in shots on goal, 9-3, and in corner kicks, 7-3, but could not find the back of the net in the first half with a number of near-misses and even a shot bouncing off the post. 

Senior Izzy Weigel finally got SU on the board in the 63rd minute after she finished a pass from junior Mara Bowman. 

The squad was already down 3-0 at that point, however, and they could not muster a comeback, ultimately falling to the Warriors 3-1.

SU coach Rob Fulton talked about the frustration of not getting some of those shots in the back of the net.

“It’s just frustrating because the creation of opportunities was fantastic and we moved the ball really well,” Fulton said. “We connected and played really well into the final third and we got great chances. We just have to stick some of those away.”

Junior goalkeeper Delaney Shifflett had an uncharacteristic game, giving up three goals - two of which she misplayed. She was relieved in the 66th minute by sophomore Kasey Doss.

The Raiders then headed to Rockwell Field to battle with No. 12 ranked West Chester, but they could not pull off the upset, falling 2-1. 

The Rams came out hot with a goal in the sixth minute but Weigel answered just nine minutes later, rocketing a ball into the high net off a pass from sophomore Allie Christman for her fourth goal of the season.

After each team scored a goal in the first 15 minutes, it took until the 77th minute for the next goal to occur, when West Chester’s Olivia Muha scored her second goal of the game. The goal came on a scramble at the net with a referee coming in and deeming that the ball just barely crossed the goal line.

With the Raiders now on a three-game losing streak, Fulton spoke about what his team needed to do to get back in the win column.

“I think we have proved that we can play with anybody in the PSAC East for sure,” Fulton said. “We’re a really young team and I’m proud of our efforts. If we play like this in games coming up and finish some more of our chances then we’re going to find some wins.” 

Shippensburg currently sits sixth in the PSAC East standings at the halfway mark of the season. The Raiders' next game is at Mansfield University at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

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