Shippensburg University’s field hockey team has won each of their three games against nationally ranked teams.

The week began with the No. 4 Raiders defeating No. 7 West Chester 3-2 in double overtime on Tuesday, followed by a 1-0 win on Friday at home against No. 5 Assumption. On Friday, the team had a 4-0 victory over No. 4 Saint Anselm.

SU’s offense was off to a strong start on Tuesday, scoring a pair of goals in the second-quarter. Senior Lilly Cantabene gave the Raiders a 1-0 lead early in the period, before senior Kelly Naudé scored to double the lead.

West Chester fought back well, scoring in both the third and fourth quarters, tying the game with six minutes remaining. Following a scoreless overtime period, junior Kayla Snyder converted a penalty stroke goal to give Shippensburg the road win.

It was a very balanced game, with West Chester outshooting SU 21-19 and the Raiders making ten saves compared to WCU’s eight.

The Raiders returned home on Friday to face Assumption. SU took the lead early on thanks to a first-quarter goal from sophomore Anne Garnder, tipping in a shot from Cantabene.

The game stalled out through the next two quarters, remaining 1-0 entering the fourth. The Greyhounds controlled possession for most of the fourth-quarter, getting a real chance late. 

Assumption fired three shots in the span of 12-seconds, with graduate goalkeeper Emma Albee making two phenomenal saves before the last went wide, allowing SU to hold on for the win. 

Albee spoke on finding a way to win after the game.

“We have it in us deep down, even if we’re not playing to our best and to our potential, it’s great to see that we can still find the outcome,” Albee said.

Shippensburg outshot Assumption 16-9 in the match, with each team earning six shots on goal. The Raiders also had six penalty corners compared to two for the Greyhounds. 

Junior Hannah White shouted out the team’s chemistry postgame. 

“We only have four freshman and a transfer, so a lot of us were already together during the spring, and everyone’s really gelling well together. The small numbers allow us to be really connected on the field,” said White

SU head coach Rayell Wallace commended Albee postgame.

“She definitely asks a lot of her teammates, I believe they ask a lot of her… for her to then show up and do what everybody’s asking her to do is great,” said Wallace. She also was a bit displeased with the team overall, saying “We have some growth that needs to happen.”

The team seemingly grew quite fast, as they dominated Saint Anselm on Sunday in a neutral-site game hosted at Widener. SU jumped out to a first-quarter lead thanks to Cantabene’s second goal of the season.

Junior McKenna Boyle scored her first goal of the season early in the second-quarter, which created a 2-0 lead, prompting the Hawks to bring in a new goalie. SU’s offense was very strong in the frame, racking up 10 shots.

Gardner scored her second goal of the season in the third-quarter off an assist from graduate Savannah Silvestre. Silvestre scored the last goal of the game by herself, putting one in off an assist from White.

SU controlled the match statistically, outshooting Saint Anselm 26-11, with 14 shots on goal. Albee only needed to make four saves, all in the fourth-quarter, but she earned her third shutout of the season. It was a chippy game throughout, with the teams combining for five green cards and a yellow card.

It will be another three-game week for SU field hockey, beginning with a home game against Frostburg State at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Robb Sports Complex. They will then host Slippery Rock on Friday at noon, and the team will travel to Mansfield to face the Mountaineers on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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