Box Score

The Shippensburg University women's soccer team advanced in the PSAC Tournament for the first time in its 20-year history on Tuesday afternoon after winning a penalty-kick shootout at Edinboro, 4-3. The two teams played to a 0-0 tie through 110 minutes in a PSAC Quarterfinal match at Sox Harrison Stadium.

Shippensburg (11-5-2), competing in the PSAC Tournament for the fourth time in school history, participated in its first-ever penalty kick shootout and came out on top after junior Alyssa House converted her chance in the fifth round and senior goalkeeper Shelbie Rackley followed with a save on a Shannon Regan shot.

"This continues to be a very special season," head coach Rob Fulton said after the game. "They have embraced the process of building a team and realized the hard work and dedication that goes into that process. Now, they're seeing the reward of not looking too far ahead and taking it one game a time. The hard work has paid off."

Senior Rachel Hess scored in the opening round of the shootout but the Raiders trailed 2-1 entering Round 3. Sophomore Kaila Dautrich and freshman Danielle Nauman each converted in the next two rounds while Rackley made a save on an Edinboro (12-5-2) shot in Round 3 to preface the fifth and final round.

Rackley made eight saves in the game to record her ninth shutout of the season, which ties the SU single-season record set in 2002 by Meredith Yakscoe-Markle and matched in 2008 by Beth Long. Her 0.84 goals-against average is just the second-best rate in any single season by a Shippensburg goalkeeper.

Both teams exchanged scoring chances for the duration yet neither team could dent the twine. Junior Brooke Clippinger fired SU's only shots on goal of the match in the first four minutes of play while the Raider defense limited the Fighting Scots to just one shot in the opening 28 minutes. Edinboro answered with 11 shots in the second half but Rackley made four saves to keep the match scoreless.

The result avenges SU's worst loss of the season, as the Fighting Scots handed the Raiders a 3-0 defeat back on the opening weekend of play. Overall, Edinboro held a 20-16 advantage in total shots yet Shippensburg held the Fighting Scots to just two corner kicks in the match.

Shippensburg will now travel to California (Pa.) for the PSAC Semifinals on Friday and endure its second matchup with the top-seeded and No. 7-ranked Vulcans within a nine-day period. The game time is to be determined.

"The feeling is hard to put into words," Fulton said. "To think of all the work and sacrifice made by the players in the offseason, and then to see it come to fruition, is very special. It's great to see how happy they are."

Notes: Shippensburg's previous PSAC Tournament appearances came in 2002, 2006 and 2010 (all losses, but the 2002 decision came in the semifinals as there were no quarterfinals in the PSAC Tournament at that time)…Tuesday's match was SU's third against a Top-7 regional opponent in the last six days [Slippery Rock – No. 1, Cal – No. 2, Edinboro – No. 7]…the NCAA Selection Show will air at 7:30 p.m. Monday on ncaa.com…SU entered the week ranked No. 3 in the Atlantic Region...the Raiders have not suffered back-to-back losses this season – the first time they've achieved that feat in program history...SU is 4-0-2 in overtime games this season.