Shippensburg University’s women’s soccer team is seeking to bounce back after a lackluster 2021 campaign which saw it post a 5-11-2 record.
This season the Raiders will be trying to achieve their first winning season since 2016. They will have the experience to do so as SU will be returning 23 players from its 2021 roster, including eight seniors.
The women’s roster will also include 10 new faces as the team will feature seven first-year players and three transfers.
In the annual Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) coaches ranked Shippensburg sixth. The Raiders placed above teams such as Shepherd, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities, but behind Kutztown and West Chester who each received first place votes.
Returning to the team this season will be junior goalkeeper Kendra Barlow who last season was named to the All-PSAC Eastern Division Second Team. Barlow had 107 saves and two shutouts with an 84% save percentage in the 2021 season. She was the first SU goalkeeper to be named to an All-PSAC team since the 2008 campaign.
SU will, however, be losing forward K.K. O’Donnell who was named All-PSAC First Team last season. O’Donnell had six goals and 15 points last season, including a game winner. The Raiders will need someone to step up and replace O’Donnell’s production.
The Raiders will begin their season on Aug. 26 against Frostburg State University at the Maryland Soccer Plex. They will open league play on Wednesday Aug. 31 vs West Chester University.
SU’s home opener will be on Saturday Sept. 3 against Kutztown University at David See Field.
The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.