sports
E6
November 12, 2013 slatesports@gmail.com
Women’s soccer playoff run comes to a halt theslateonline.com/section/sports
The Raiders fought for 110 minutes of play but ultimately fell to the Vulcans in a shootout Ryan Trexler Sports Editor
The Shippensburg University women’s soccer team was fresh off an overtime victory over Edinboro University when it traveled to California University of Pa. to take on the Vulcans in the PSAC semifinals Friday afternoon. SU lost a heartbreaking match in overtime penalty kicks, 3–2. The Vulcans dominated the Raider offense throughout the entire game, but SU’s defense stepped up big when it was needed. The first half consisted of the Raiders being
outshot by CU 7–2, but senior Raider goalkeeper Shelbie Rackley saved the shots on goal that the Vulcans took. SU seniors Rachel Hess and Kylee Bricker recorded the Raiders two shots in the first half, both sailed wide of the net. The second half continued with CU’s dominant offense controlling the game but the Raider defense did not back down. SU was outshot by CU 5–0 in the second half, but Rackley recorded two saves. The game needed extra time to decide a winner, two overtime periods to be exact. The semifinal matchup was the eighth time this season that the
Raiders needed overtime to decide a victor. In the first overtime period SU senior Kate Zech had an opportunity late in the period to win the game for the Raiders when she took a shot that hit the post and bounced away, keeping the game tied at zero. The Vulcans fired off two shots in the first overtime period, both of which Rackley saved again. The second overtime period was a quiet one — neither team was able to record a shot. The game needed to be decided via penalty stroke attempts. SU’s Hess and Kaila Dautrich made the first and third shots,
with Raider Haley Jones missing the second. The Vulcans made their first three penalty shots but missed the fourth, leaving the Raiders with a chance to win if they could make their final two shots. Unfortunately for the Raiders their last two shots were wide, ending the Raiders chances of another dramatic victory. The Raiders finished the year 11–5–3 overall and a .658 overall winning percentage. The Raiders did make history this year when they finished the regular season 8–0–1 at home. SU made a good run at the PSAC title but fell just short of Photo by Ryan Trexler hoisting the trophy. Kylee Bricker recorded one of the Raiders’ three shots in Friday’s hard fought loss.
Field hockey suffers heartbreak loss to MU Ryan Trexler Sports Editor
The Shippensburg University field hockey team had its 18-game winning streak come to an abrupt end when it fell to Millersville University 1–0 on Saturday afternoon in the PSAC Championship game. The game started with back-and-forth action as the Raiders pressed the Marauder defense. MU’s defense held strong, especially goalie Lauren Sotzin. SU outshot MU in the first half 6–3, but Sotzin held strong with five saves. Senior Raider goalie Carenna Neely was
equally as dominate, recording two saves in the first half. The Raiders had an excellent opportunity to get on the board late in the first half when senior Bre White shot the ball but it went wide. White finished the game with a team leading five shots, three of which were on goal. The second half began with the same back-andforth action, but just 11 minutes into the second half MU junior Rachel Dickinson capitalized on a penalty stroke that snuck by the SU goalie and into the back of the cage. The goal put the Marauders ahead 1–0. The Raiders attemped a
late-game surge, recording 12 total shots in the final 24 minutes of play but their efforts came up short. The Raiders outshot the Marauders 19–5 and held a 16–7 advantage in penalty corners but SU could not find the back of the cage. Even though the Raiders suffered a heartbreaking defeat, their season is not finished. SU will have the opportunity to play in the NCAA DII field hockey championships which begin on Nov. 16. SU received a first round bye in the NCAA playoffs and will play the winner of MU and West Chester Univeristy on Raider senior Ari Saytar (left) moves the ball past a Marauder defender during the PSAC championship game. Nov. 22.
Photos by Ryan Trexler
Even though the Raiders dropped a hard-fought game against the Marauders, they will need to continue to stand together if they want to make a run at the NCAA National Championship trophy.