Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The top two teams in Division II field hockey took to the turf at Robb Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon and for 84 minutes that fact was in full display, as the Shippensburg University field hockey team put forth a sensational effort but ultimately dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Bloomsburg in the 2009 PSAC Championship game.

Senior Amanda Houser put forth an incredible performance in goal for Shippensburg by recording 14 saves in the contest, including three stops on breakaways in overtime. Houser repeatedly made stops on point-blank opportunities for the Huskies and completed several clears by coming out and playing the ball with her blocker pads.

Shippensburg (19-2) established the early momentum and capitalized at 21:11 when freshman Taylor Jones took one dribble and fired home a crossing pass from freshman Ashley Taylor to give Shippensburg a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Raiders nearly extended their lead with another goal later in the half. As junior Amanda Strous finished a crossing pass with a shot into the open cage, a penalty corner was whistled and the goal never counted. The Huskies quelled the resulting chance off the corner.

Bloomsburg (19-1) tied the score just over seven minutes into the second half on a furious rally in the circle, as Breanne Tobin connected for a goal off an assist from Maggie Bloskey. The two teams proceeded to exchange territorial advantages throughout the second half, with the Huskies applying pressure in the middle of the frame before SU took it to Bloomsburg over the final 10 minutes of regulation.

The two teams began the overtime period amidst a sudden downpour, as the skies opened up with rain for the first time on the day after the clouds had invaded during the first half. Both schools had chances to score on odd-man breakaways, but a 3-on-1 rush for the Huskies ended with Bloskey hammering in a loose rebound for the game-winner.

Overall, the two teams combined for just seven total shots in the first half but finished the game with a total of 34, including eight in overtime. Bloomsburg totaled a 14-12 advantage in penalty corners and a 20-14 advantage in shots. Emotions ran high in front of a capacity crowd that supported both teams throughout the contest.

Shippensburg, currently ranked No. 2 in the region, will await word of the NCAA tournament field this weekend. Regional games will take place next Saturday, November 7.