Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's soccer team relinquished a pair of goals in a decisive 3:10 stretch of play midway through the second half to come up short Tuesday night in a PSAC matchup against East Stroudsburg, falling 2-1 from David See Field.

Shippensburg (5-4-3, 3-4-2 PSAC) managed numerous scoring chances in the contest, but only found the net once. Junior Rachel Hess converted a penalty kick in the 78th minute after senior Katie Leverentz was fouled in the box. It was Hess's first goal of the season.

East Stroudsburg (5-2-4, 4-1-3) took advantage of two brief SU defensive lapses and converted those opportunities into two goals. The Warriors moved into fifth place in the PSAC standings with the victory, while the Raiders remained in ninth place. The Top 8 teams qualify for the PSAC tournament to be held in early November.

The first Warrior goal came in the 59th minute. A splendid baseline move by Sammi Jo Hughes enabled her to feed Marissa Spitler, who was streaking in toward the near post. Spitler fired a shot that was stopped at point-blank range by junior goalkeeper Shelbie Rackley, but the resulting carom went over to Bridget Connell, who slammed home the rebound to put ESU up 1-0.

In the 62nd minute, a Raider giveaway helped the Warriors sneak home another goal, with Courtney Keller converting a quick-developing scoring chance into her third goal of the season.

The visitors held a 17-14 advantage in total shots but the Raiders had plenty of scoring opportunities that just missed the mark. Among the most memorable was by graduate Cassie Armold, who had a great header off a corner kick in the 55th minute, but an ESU defender was in the proper position on the near post to prevent the shot from entering the goal. Sophomore Alyssa House hit the crossbar with a shot in the 69th minute.

Rackley had a solid game in goal for the Raiders, making eight saves.

The Raiders return to action at 4:30 p.m. Saturday with a crucial conference matchup at Bloomsburg.