Box Score

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Shippensburg University men's soccer team established a one-goal lead at halftime of its NCAA first round contest on Thursday evening but could not stave off No. 24 California (Pa.) in the second half, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Vulcans from Millersville's Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium.

Shippensburg (9-6-2) finishes the 2011 season having made NCAA tournament appearances in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. The Raiders do not have any seniors on their roster, putting the team in position to preserve its success into next season. SU has posted a 23-12-3 record over the last two seasons after going 2-27-7 from 2008-09.

The Raiders opened the scoring with just 22 seconds remaining in the first half. Freshman Fred Lucas sent a corner kick into a crowded box that went to the head of sophomore Oli Templeton. His header was blocked, but the carom went right to sophomore Casey Bellamy, who deposited a shot through the legs of the crowd and into the lower ninety.

It was the first career goal for Bellamy on just his seventh career shot on goal.

California (12-3-4) was outshot 11-1 in the first half but got back into the game in the 56th minute with a 30-yard free kick goal by Edin Sabic. Five minutes later, the Vulcans took the lead after a botched pass in the backfield gave a breakaway to Tyler Woolum. From 15 yards out, Woolum finished the chance past diving junior Andrew Foran to give Cal a 2-1 lead.

However, the Raiders answered less than five minutes later with a beautiful goal off a free kick. Templeton entered a wicked bender into the box that went directly onto the head of junior Austin Hill, who then sent a head pass across to junior Alex Supplee, who sent a driving header into the open goal to tie the score with 24:30 remaining in regulation and the ball never touching the ground.

Just five minutes, 20 seconds later – Cal capitalized on another SU mistake to take the lead. A long Cal through ball went toward the box, but some confusion between Hill and Foran resulted in Foran kicking the ball off Hill's leg toward a Vulcan forward. Foran had to foul the attacking player, resulting in a free kick from less than 15 yards out.

The initial California shot from Sabic slammed off the crossbar, but the long rebound went to Vulcan forward Mike Kalas. A header pass from Kalas went to Chris Hunkele, who converted the chance to give Cal a 3-2 lead. The Vulcans added a late insurance goal in the 80th minute to secure the victory.

Shippensburg established consistency throughout Thursday's match and controlled the pace for most of the contest, recording a 22-14 advantage in shots and a 4-3 margin in corner kicks. SU had 11 shots in each half.