Box Score

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. - Molly O'Hara and Renee Maniscalco combined for eight of East Stroudsburg's 10 goals as the Warriors handed Shippensburg its third consecutive loss and ninth in the last 11 games Thursday at Eiler-Martin Stadium, 10-8.

The win secured a spot in next week's PSAC Women's Lacrosse Championship for East Stroudsburg (11-5, 8-5 PSAC) and was the Warriors' 11th season, tying a school record for wins in a season.

Meanwhile, Shippensburg (4-12, 4-9 PSAC) suffered its eighth loss in 10 road games this season, officially eliminating the Lady Raiders from playoff contention, ending their streak of back-to-back appearances.

However, since the conference tournament was expanded to four teams in 2004, Shippensburg has qualified in three out of the last five years.

O'Hara scored all five of her goals in the first half as East Stroudsburg built a 6-3 halftime lead.

Following O'Hara's fifth goal of the game, neither team would score again until sophomore Liz DiNunno scored on a free position with 19:13 to play in the second half, ending a scoreless streak of 17:49.

Sophomore Gayle Kuntzmann followed with her second goal of the game at 13:44 to pull Shippensburg within one, 6-5 in what would be the first of four one-goal deficits for the Lady Raiders in the final 13 minutes.

However, quick retaliation by the Warriors kept the Lady Raiders at bay, including goals by Christine Bradley and Maniscalco just 33 and 14 seconds after Shippensburg cut the lead to 6-5 and 7-6, respectively, that pushed the East Stroudsburg lead back to two.

After freshman Rachael Murray scored at 9:44 to pull the Lady Raiders within one for the third time, Maniscalco again had the answer, scoring her second goal only 22 seconds later to put the Warriors in front, 9-7.

Sophomore Kelsey Browning cut the lead to just one for the fourth time at 6:57 after she converted the Shippensburg's fourth free position goal of the contest, but it couldn't get any closer in the final seven minutes before Maniscalco scored an insurance goal with only 1:13 remaining to seal the victory for East Stroudsburg.

The Lady Raiders finished the game 4-for-10 on free position attempts, but was on the short end of a 16-5 margin in draw controls where the Warriors held a 9-2 edge in the second half.

Maniscalco finished the game with four points on three goals and one assist. In two games against Shippensburg this season, she totaled 13 points, including 10 goals after she totaled seven goals and two assists in a 13-9 victory at Robb Sports Complex back on April 5.

The Warriors built a 2-0 lead before Shippensburg scored the next three-straight to take a 3-2 lead, the first of which came from senior Allie Rutland who netted her second of the season. Senior Kelly Smith tied the game at 2-2 on a free position before Kuntzmann gave the Lady Raiders a one-goal advantage with 14:42 remaining in the half.

O'Hara then scored the game's next four consecutive goals to give East Stroudsburg a three-goal halftime lead, the last of which came with 6:31 left.

Sophomore Brooke Miller made eight saves for Shippensburg.

The Lady Raiders will conclude the 2008 season at home on Saturday when they take on Bloomsburg at Robb Sports Complex beginning at 1:00 p.m. Prior to the game, Shippensburg will honor its five seniors in Rutland, Katie Irwin, Kelly Erisman, Kelly Smith and Brita Paul.

Despite their 16-13 loss at home to No. 6 Lock Haven on Thursday, the Huskies earned the fourth and final playoff spot in this year's PSAC Women's Lacrosse Championship.