Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University field hockey team used late first-half goals by sophomore Tori Ricker and junior Bre White to hold off a staunch Slippery Rock squad and pick up a 2-1 victory in its PSAC Western Division opener on a picturesque Tuesday afternoon from Robb Sports Complex.

Shippensburg (5-0, 1-0 PSAC West) recorded an 18-3 advantage in shots and an 11-0 margin in penalty corners during the first half but did not get on the board until Ricker deflected an entry from White into the cage for her second career goal and first this season. Less than three minutes later, junior Katie Shoop sent a strong crossing feed into the back of the circle that White fired past the sprawling SRU keeper.

Slippery Rock (3-1, 0-1 PSAC West), off to its best start to a season in 17 years, had plenty of chances in the contest and ended up just a goal short. The first scoring chance Tuesday came before the game was two minutes old, as sophomore Ari Saytar had to make a defensive save on a shot toward the left post by SRU forward Lindsay Brown.

Senior Ciarra Delost entered the game for SU as its goalkeeper at the start of the second half and was tested right away, stopping a penalty stroke just 97 seconds into the final frame. Delost made three saves in the second half. Junior Carenna Neely started in goal and earned the win, recording one save during the first half.

The Rock got their second-half goal with just over 10 minutes remaining, as Kelsey Gustafson was parked at the left corner of the cage and jammed home a rebound off a blocked shot by Kaili Simmons. White nearly padded SU's lead just two minutes later but sent a shot inches wide of the right post.

Earlier on Tuesday, Shippensburg was elevated to the No. 1 ranking in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Division II National Coaches Poll. Bloomsburg, who remained the No. 2 team in the poll, dropped a 2-1 decision to West Chester on Tuesday. The Golden Rams were dropped to No. 3 in the poll after Saturday's loss to Shippensburg.

SU, ranked No. 1 for the first time since 2010, will play away from home for the next two weeks. This weekend, the Raiders will hit the road to face No. 8 LIU Post at 1 p.m. Friday before facing No. 10 East Stroudsburg at 1 p.m. Saturday.