Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Senior Gayle Kuntzmann scored five of her career-high six goals in the second half on Wednesday afternoon from Robb Sports Complex while junior Rachael Murray added a second-half hat trick as the Shippensburg University women's lacrosse team put on an offensive showcase during the final 30 minutes of an impressive 13-11 comeback victory over PSAC Eastern Division rival Bloomsburg.

Shippensburg (5-3, 3-1 PSAC East) snapped a five-game losing streak to Bloomsburg and moved into sole possession of second place in the PSAC Eastern Division after defeating the Huskies and by virtue of West Chester's victory over East Stroudsburg. It is the first win for the Lady Raiders over the Huskies since the 2007 season, a stretch that included two losses last season each by just one goal.

Bloomsburg (6-4, 2-2 PSAC East) capitalized on a lethargic first half from the Lady Raiders by taking a 7-3 lead at the intermission. The Huskies took 19 shots during the first 30 minutes of play and received scoring contributions from six different players.

The show put on by the Lady Raiders in the second half was a thing of beauty. Goals by Murray and junior Karen Schnurr just eight minutes into the half began the Shippensburg wave of momentum that was soon to take over. Junior Katie Brewer added her third goal of the game with 19:35 to play, but Bloomsburg still held a three-goal advantage after scoring at 17:14 of the second half.

Over the next 12 minutes and 46 seconds of action, Kuntzmann showcased her incredible speed and instincts by kicking it into third gear - scoring five times and contributing to six consecutive SU tallies that built a 12-9 Lady Raider advantage. Murray connected on a goal with 9:33 to go that tied the score before Kuntzmann took the lead on a free-position shot just 85 seconds later. SU won six out of seven draw controls during the decisive run and held the Huskies without a shot.

Bloomsburg attempted another comeback similar to its impressive overtime rally last Sunday against Bentley. Goals by Allie Kakareka and Samantha King brought the Huskies within one goal, but the next draw control was won by freshman Lindsey Kennedy and Kuntzmann's hustle led to a penalty that kept Bloomsburg down one player for the remainder of the game. Murray added a late goal with five seconds to go.

Kuntzmann's final tally was six goals, five draw controls, two groundballs and one caused turnover. During Shippensburg's three-game homestand, Kuntzmann scored 10 times, won 10 draw controls, caused eight turnovers and picked up 11 groundballs while committing just three turnovers.

Brewer had another excellent game with three goals, four draw controls and two caused turnovers. Murray finished with three goals and an assist to continue her excellent play against the Huskies. Last season, she scored 11 goals in two games against Bloomsburg, including a seven-goal effort.

Sophomore Ali Cross, playing just her third game in the field, was once again crucial to Shippensburg's 15-11 advantage in draw controls. Kennedy was the beneficiary of three draw controls. Defensively, sophomore Meghan Kearney made eight saves, including one crucial point-blank stop in the final three minutes, to record the victory in goal.

The Lady Raiders will look to further solidify its current second-place standing when they travel to East Stroudsburg on Saturday for a 1 p.m. clash with the Warriors.