Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Shippensburg University field hockey team advanced to the 2009 PSAC Championship game after recording its 12th shutout of the season with a 2-0 victory on Friday afternoon over Kutztown in the second semifinal from Robb Sports Complex.

Shippensburg (19-1) advanced to its first conference championship clash in three seasons by establishing momentum early, holding the Golden Bears to just three first-half shots while scoring two goals and eventually suppressing some second-half surges from the visitors.

SU opened the scoring just four minutes into the game by capitalizing on solid stickwork and an excellent passing play. After dribbling into the circle, sophomore Kristina Taylor sent a feed across the crease to senior Jamie Doughty, who scored her first goal in six games to give SU a 1-0 lead.

With less than four minutes remaining in the first half, senior Kim Tully sent in a low dipping shot from the back right portion of the circle that snuck through the legs of a pair of defenders and forwards and into the corner of the cage to give Shippensburg a crucial 2-0 lead heading into the intermission.

The second half once again featured similar totals in shots but the Lady Raiders held a majority of the quality scoring chances, totaling seven penalty corners over the final 35 minutes of play. Shippensburg clamped down defensively to record the shutout, as senior Amanda Houser made six saves and junior Emily Fulton recorded a splendid defensive save.

Kutztown (12-8) played within three total shots of Shippensburg despite having less than one day to prepare for the contest. The Lady Raiders were originally supposed to play East Stroudsburg but the Warriors removed themselves from the tournament on Thursday morning.

The last time that the Lady Raiders hosted the Huskies was in 2005, when Shippensburg came from behind to earn a 5-4 victory over Bloomsburg and win its only PSAC Championship in school history. Game time from Robb Sports Complex on Saturday is 1 p.m.