Live Stats Link

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Four competitive Division II field hockey programs will be hitting the turf at the Robb Sports Complex this weekend for the 2009 Lady Raider Classic. Two schools from the NE-10 (St. Michael's and Southern Connecticut State) will be in competition against two schools from the PSAC (Shippensburg and Mansfield).

Shippensburg is tied for third in the 2009 Kookaburra/NFHCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll and was also voted second in the PSAC Western Division Preseason Coaches Poll. The Lady Raiders will be vying for a national title in 2009 as the program celebrates the 30th anniversary of the 1979 squad that won the AIAW Division III Championship.

The Lady Raider field hockey program has won at least 12 games in each of the 10 seasons under head coach Bertie Landes and has consistently been one of the top 10 teams in the nation.

Mansfield was ranked ninth in the 2009 Kookaburra/NFHCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll and was also voted second in the PSAC Western Division Preseason Coaches Poll. Now in her 12th season at Mansfield, head coach Diane Monkiewicz returns a strong-core of veterans from last year's 7-12 squad led by senior co-captains and 2008 All-American's Courtney Grunza and Brittany Kostishion.

Southern Connecticut State was ranked fourth in this year's Northeast-10 Preseason Coaches' Poll. Seniors Lauren Karn and KellyAnne McCafferty, along with junior Ann Berry, will captain the Owls this fall. SCSU reached the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history last year after 13 wins.

Saint Michael's, led by 11th-year head coach Carla Hesler, is coming off an 11-8 season a year ago. Hesler, needs 13 more wins to match the program record and returns a squad that features seven seniors, including four of the top scorers from last season. SMC is led by senior captains Kate Higgins and Kaitlin Koffink.

Live stats will be available all weekend for each game of the tournament at the link posted above. For the latest information on Shippensburg University athletics, be sure to check back with www.shipraiders.com and also be sure to check out the SU Sports Hotline at 717-477-7678.

2009 Lady Raider Classic Schedule

Saturday, August 29

12 PM
Southern Connecticut State
at Shippensburg

2:30 PM
Mansfield vs. St. Michaels

Sunday, August 30

10 AM
Saint Michael's
at Shippensburg

12:30 PM
Southern Connecticut State
vs. Mansfield