Shippensburg University’s No. 1 nationally ranked field hockey team split a pair of matches this past week defeating Frostburg State 4-1 on Tuesday before falling in overtime to IUP 1-0 on Wednesday.
The Raiders finished undefeated in conference play at 9-0 but suffered their first loss of the season to move to 16-1 overall.
The first match of the week saw Frostburg keep SU in check for the first half, with the Raiders only getting six shots on goal and unable to score. The game was 0-0 at the half. Senior Taryn Mayer put the Raiders on the board midway through the third quarter with her second goal of the season.
The Raiders controlled the match from there, adding another third quarter goal thanks to senior Yasmin De Meyer scoring off an assist from freshman Anne Gardner.
De Meyer then scored again in the fourth, this one assisted by senior Alexa Michielsen. Senior Valu Paul then scored her fifth goal of the season less than 30 seconds after De Meyer.
Frostburg State scored with 7:50 remaining, but that was the Bobcats only goal in the match. SU outshot the Bobcats 33-10, with 23 shots on goal. Redshirt junior goalie Emma Albee picked up four saves in the victory.
The victory capped off a perfect season on conference play for the Raiders, outscoring opponents 30-7 across nine games. They only allowed 0.77 goals per game in PSAC play, also having a conference-leading .840 save percentage.
SU then traveled to Indiana for Wednesday’s contest against IUP, where the Crimson Hawks gutted their way to an overtime win. The Raiders had plenty of chances to get on the board but could not find the back of the net.
The Raiders outshot IUP 13-8, with all but one of their shots being on goal, with IUP goalie Brooke Everly posting 12 saves. SU also racked up 16 corners, allowing just five on defense.
It was one of those five corners that proved to be the difference in the match. IUP’s Jess Davidson scored her eighth goal of the season off an overtime penalty corner insert to put IUP ahead 1-0, the match’s result.
SU field hockey will host the PSAC field hockey championships this weekend, with both semifinals and the championship set to be played at Robb Sports Complex. The Raiders will host the winner of Monday’s contest between Bloomsburg and West Chester at noon on Friday, with the conference championship game scheduled for noon on Sunday.
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