The No. 2-ranked Shippensburg University field hockey team clinched two home Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) wins this week. The first win came from No. 4-ranked West Chester University on Wednesday afternoon with the Raiders winning the game 3-2 and the second win came from No. 7-ranked Mansfield University on Saturday afternoon with the Raiders winning the game again, 3-2.
Despite the Wednesday sun and heat, SU fought hard to defend the ball against long-standing rival West Chester.
West Chester started the first quarter with a goal scored by junior Jasmine Miller. With Shippensburg immediately taking back control of the ball and bringing it down the field, junior Tess Jedeloo seized an opportunity and tapped the ball into the cage for the team’s first goal of the game.
Just over a minute into the second quarter, junior Yasmin De Meyer took advantage of an open line on the field and scored for Shippensburg. The team held its 2-1 lead throughout the entirety of the second quarter and majority of the third quarter. However, with just under eight minutes left on the clock in the third quarter Miller of WCU scored again, tying the game.
It was evident that SU was determined to win the match up with their strong fourth quarter start. Just under 15 seconds in sophomore Lily Cantabene scored with an assist from De Meyer. It was Cantabene’s first goal of the season. SU held off WCU for the remainder of the fourth quarter, winning the game 3-2.
On Saturday afternoon SU welcomed back their 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship Team for the 2013 team’s 10-year anniversary and alumni day. The 2013 National Championship team was recognized on the field prior to the start of the game. Head coach of the 2013 team, Bertie Landes, was also present and spoke to the 2023 team about the national championship experience at the conclusion of Saturday’s game.
The Raiders started out strong against Mansfield, scoring just five minutes into the first quarter. Freshman Mckenna Boyle scored off a penalty stroke goal, making this the first goal of her collegiate career.
SU sophomore Agus Garibaldi was assisted by Yasmin De Meyer and scored in the second quarter, giving SU a 2-0 lead over Mansfield heading into the second half of the game.
Possession of the ball went back and forth throughout the third quarter. About one minute in, Mansfield scored from a penalty corner shot by senior Kalin Duke.
Immediately, the Raiders took the ball back into their possession and Garibaldi scored again giving SU a safe lead. However, late in the third quarter, the Mounties scored from another penalty corner shot, this time by junior Alexis Bell.
The Raider defense and goalie, Emma Albee, held off Mansfield for the fourth quarter, and SU won the game 3-2.
Shippensburg will take on No. 3-ranked Kutztown on the road this Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.
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