On Saturday, the SU men’s soccer team set out to continue their successful start to the 2015 season. Unfortunately, the Red Raiders lost a close battle against its PSAC opponent, the East Stroudsburg Warriors. The game was very evenly matched and ended up going into overtime, when the visiting Warriors capitalized on some timely offense and took home the 2-1 victory.
Despite the loss, the Red Raiders didn’t look outmatched or outplayed during Saturday’s match. In the first period Shippensburg outshot the Warriors 8-2 and seemed to be setting up more scoring opportunities. Neither team was able to convert a shot for a goal as both goalkeepers were in control. In the second period both teams continued to attack the goal and both teams ended up scoring.
The Raiders scored their goal about five minutes into the second period when senior forward James Connor scored his second goal of the season on a free kick. However, this small lead only lasted about five minutes before the game was tied once again. Warriors forward Casey Choffy put East Stroudsburg on the board with a shot assisted by Christian Bukowski. For the remainder of regulation neither team was able to score despite many opportunities.
In the overtime period, the visiting Warriors came out strong and moved the ball swiftly and efficiently down the field setting up the winning goal within four minutes. Again it was Choffy, assisted by Bukowski, scoring the goal for East Stroudsburg. The Red Raiders had two shot opportunities before the Warriors scored but were unable to convert.
The loss puts the Raiders at 1-1 for the 2015 season. SU will return to action when they play at home again this Wednesday against Holy Family.
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