The Shippensburg University lacrosse team limited host Seton Hill to just one goal in the second half on Saturday to pick up its second Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) victory of the season, defeating the Griffins by a score of 12-7 on a chilly afternoon from Dick’s Sporting Goods Field in Greensburg.
Shippensburg (6-5, 2-4 PSAC) maintained a 7-6 lead over Seton Hill (2-9, 1-6) at halftime but out-scored the Griffins 6-1 over the final 30 minutes of play. SU’s defense forced 17 second-half turnovers and limited the hosts to six second-half shots on goal despite collecting just one draw control after halftime.
The Raiders snapped a six-game losing streak to the Griffins, achieving their first victory over Seton Hill since the 2011 season.
Junior Kyra Shank notched her first hat trick of the season and the third of her career to pace the SU scorers. Shank has now totaled seven goals in her three career games against Seton Hill.
Senior Allison Fugate converted twice on free-position attempts, recorded three groundballs and had two caused turnovers. Freshman Jessica DeMarte also scored twice for the Raiders, including a tally with 10 seconds left in the first half that gave SU the halftime advantage. The goals were the third and fourth of the year for DeMarte.
Senior Jordan Kengor scored the first goal of the game and had an assist. Freshman Jena MacDonald had a goal and two assists, while Kami Holt also had a goal and an assist. Junior Madi Newman and freshman Alana Cardaci also scored for the Raiders, while junior Morgan Stone provided an assist.
Junior Valerie Hertz notched six caused turnovers, had six of SU’s 10 draw controls, and recorded two groundballs while committing just one turnover of her own. Hertz and freshman goalkeeper KiKi Brasher were among the staunch defenders for the Raiders — Brasher made eight saves and SU did not allow a goal on a free-position attempt in the contest.
Senior Makenzie Magnotta was among the Raiders with multiple caused turnovers in the game — she recorded three from the back lines. Magnotta has recorded multiple caused turnovers in five games this season. Freshman Madi Jones, Newman, Fugate and freshman Maddy Siejk each had two caused turnovers.
SU matched Seton Hill with 26 groundballs. Newman paced the Raiders with five, while Jones collected four. Fugate added three from her attack position.
Shippensburg hosts nationally-ranked West Chester at 4 p.m. Wednesday from Robb Sports Complex. The team is conducting a food drive at the game.
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