Shippensburg University’s women’s soccer Senior Day followed a 1-0 win over Lock Haven on the road on Wednesday. 

The lone goal was scored by senior Suzy Dietrich in the 20th minute of the first half after dispossessing a Lock Haven defender in the Raiders’ attacking third. With a shift of the hips, Dietrich made her move around the goalkeeper for an open-netted shot on goal. The Raiders were dangerous for the remainder of the game and held their ground to a victory.

Dietrich said the win against Lock Haven was “a really important game for our team morale, and I was really proud of us for scoring early and then holding down our lead. We knew we needed to leave that game with a win, not just for our record but for us as a team.”

Following this momentum, the Raiders took the field on their home turf Saturday for senior day. The senior members of the team were honored in a ceremony before the game, sharing their memories and love with teammates, friends and family. 

This was also a moment to celebrate player-staff relationships. Head coach Rob Fulton joined each senior with flowers, followed by assistant coaches Maddie Murphy and Jen Clements with posters of each player in action.

Six seniors were recognized before the game. Chloe Chipego, Suzy Dietrich, Jenna Folmar, Olivia Stephen, Maddy Tursi and Katie Willis were joined by loved ones, and each member had pre-written messages read. 

Folmar said, “Senior day made me feel so proud to be a Raider. I will always treasure the memories and friendships I have made over the years and will cherish this experience forever.” 

The Raiders did not disappoint in the game. They had a dangerous offensive strategy in the first half but fell short on several opportunities in front of goal. The halftime score was 0-0.

Six minutes into the second half, the Raiders earned a corner kick that resulted in a chaotic scuffle of legs in front of the face of the goal. Junior Ryleigh Cook got her foot on the loose ball and put it in the back of the net for a Raiders goal. 

Going into halftime, we talked a lot about getting good opportunities but needing to capitalize on them,” Cook said, “so when I was able to get that first goal early in the second half, I think it just helped pick the whole team up and give us the energy and confidence boost we needed to keep going hard and create more opportunities.” 

The Mountaineers tried to resume play by running the ball back to the center circle Thirteen minutes into the second half, junior Maegan Quinn scored to make the score 2-0. The Senior Day momentum had caught up to the players as they heated up to make for an entertaining second half.

Not backing down, the Raider’s took advantage of the lead and continued to attack their offensive half, creating opportunities out of anything. In the 21st minute of the second half, sophomore Mia Kemp earned the Raider’s a corner kick after dribbling to the endline. Dietrich lined the ball up at the corner flag to serve to Kemp, who scored.

With no time to rest, SU freshman Ashton Gonzalez got to work with several dangerous shots on goal, forcing the goalkeeper to make saves. Frustrating the Mansfield defenders, Gonzalez got fouled in the box in the 35th minute of the half, resulting in a penalty kick. Gonzalez took the penalty kick and made the score 4-0. 

And if four was not enough, freshman Hannah Menicheschi took control and scored the Raiders’ fifth goal with eight minutes remaining. 

Dietrich said, “I am just so beyond proud of our team. We had a lot of energy with it being Senior Day. Unfortunately, we didn’t start off great, but we came out in the second half and just dominated. I was so honored to help us win for the seniors who weren’t able to play.” 

SU women’s soccer will play against Millersville at David See Field at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

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