The Shippensburg University lacrosse team played its best game of the season in a dominant 17-9 victory over Lock Haven University on Wednesday at Robb Sports Complex.
The game was historically significant for Shippensburg (5-11, 3-9 PSAC) on multiple levels. The Raiders’ win over the Bald Eagles was their first in 15 years, ending an 18-game drought that dated back to 2004.
SU dominated Lock Haven on all fronts, outscoring the Bald Eagles 11-2 in the second half. The Raiders took 48 shots (36 on goal) while Lock Haven took just 18 (13 on goal). The Raiders matched a season-low with 15 turnovers while forcing 29 turnovers out of the Bald Eagles.
The performances of sophomore Alana Cardaci and junior Kami Holt were among the best in Raider history.
Cardaci continued her breakout sophomore campaign with a career-high seven goals. According to SU Sports Information, the seven goals are the most in a game by a Raider since Bennett Widlake notched seven goals against Slippery Rock in 2014.
Sophomore Maddy Siejk scores a hat trick Wednesday afternoon against Lock Haven in Shippensburg. Siejk tallied two hat tricks her freshman season.
Holt, who had not recorded more than two assists in a game all season, racked up a career-high six assists in the contest. The six assists are the most in a game by a Raider since Lindsey Kennedy recorded eight assists against Gannon in 2013.
In addition to Cardaci, two other Raiders scored hat tricks against Lock Haven. Sophomore Maddy Siejk scored three goals to pick up her first hat trick of the season and the third of her career. Sophomore Jessica DeMarte, who entered the game with just two goals this season, scored on all three of her shot attempts to score her first career hat trick.
Senior Kyra Shank notched two goals in the final home game of her career, while sophomore Jena MacDonald had two assists.
Senior Valerie Hertz continued to display her defensive prominence in her final home game, leading the team with five groundballs and tying for the team lead with five draw controls.
On Saturday, the Raiders dropped their season finale — a close 10-7 road loss to Slippery Rock.
The game was close throughout, as neither team led by more than three goals at any point. After jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, the Raiders eventually led 7-5 with under six minutes to play. But, five consecutive goals by The Rock in the final six minutes sealed the deal.
Cardaci scored two goals, bringing her season total to 53. This stands as the most in a single season by a Raider since Kristin Crutchfield scored 53 in 2007.
Hertz concluded her Raider career with a handful of lofty statistical accomplishments. She is the program’s all-time leader in caused turnovers with 154, and is second in program history in both groundballs (227) and draw controls (180).
The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.