The Shippensburg University lacrosse team defeated Mercyhurst University by a score of 13–11 on Saturday afternoon, marking the Raiders’ first win over the Lakers in 13 years.
The game carried a special meaning for SU lacrosse, as the program celebrated #WiseWillRise day. Former captain and 2017 graduate Julia Wise, who was diagnosed with metastatic Stage 4 breast cancer, was in attendance with many of her former teammates.
SU (4-3, 2-1 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) started slow, as No. 21-ranked Mercyhurst scored six of the game’s first seven goals. The Lakers (4-3, 1-2 PSAC) led 6–1 after 10 minutes of play, but scored just five goals over the final 50 minutes.
The Raiders had evened the score at six by the 11:24 mark of the first half, and went into the intermission trailing 8–7.
A balanced scoring attack helped Shippensburg outscore Mercyhurst 6-3 in the second half. Freshman Hannah Seifried scored the game-tying and go-ahead goals at the 12:34 and 11:50 marks of the second half, and the Raiders were able to hold on from there.
The SU defense limited Mercyhurst to just seven shots in the second half, backed up by a solid performance from freshman goalkeeper Shaely Gamble — who recorded 10 saves. Gamble was also credited with three caused turnovers and five groundballs.
The Raiders were led by sophomore Alana Cardaci’s six goals, which matched her career high. Seifried’s two clutch goals were her first in four games, while junior Kami Holt also netted two goals and recorded an assist.
Sophomores Maddy Siejk and Jessica DeMarte, as well as freshman Sydney Costanza, rounded out the Raiders’ scoring, netting one goal apiece.
SU celebrates its hard-fought comeback win against the ranked Lakers at home on Saturday.
Senior captain Valerie Hertz led the Raiders’ defensive effort, recording two caused turnovers, two draw controls and four groundballs. Senior captain Madi Newman and sophomore captain Madi Jones also contributed to the defensive performance.
Newman tallied two caused turnovers and three groundballs, and Jones recorded two caused turnovers and a groundball.
SU out-shot Mercyhurst 30-26, although the Lakers recorded two more shots on goal. The Raiders forced 23 turnovers on the sunny afternoon from the Robb Sports Complex.
Shippensburg is back in action on Wednesday when it visits Kutztown University at 4 p.m.
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