The No. 17 Shippensburg University men's soccer team struck first Wednesday afternoon at Wilmington and held a halftime advantage but could not maintain its lead, dropping a 2-1 decision to the home-standing Wildcats.
 
Shippensburg (2-1) entered the game with momentum having been coined the No. 17 team in Division II per the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Rankings released Tuesday. It is the highest NSCAA national ranking for the Raiders since the organization began issuing its weekly polls in 1996.
 
The Raiders struck first, as sophomore Jeff Ballard ripped a left-footed volley from more than 20 yards out into the top left corner in the 41st minute of play. Graduate Renaldo Garcia was credited with the assist after reversing the field with his pass.
 
SU had two other splendid scoring chances during the first half, as junior Derek Adams was denied at the left post in the 17th minute and Ballard sent an earlier shot just over the crossbar in the 37th minute.
 
Wilmington (1-1), an NCAA Tournament qualifier last year, equalized the score in the 62nd minute by converting a penalty kick. SU earned a penalty kick of its own in the 75th minute after sophomore Preston Rice was taken down in the box, but the ensuing attempt by senior Fred Lucas went wide left of the post.
 
The Wildcats claimed the lead three minutes later on a toe-tap passing play in the box that culminated in Greg Bishop ripping a volley into the left side of the net. SU managed late moments of possession in WU territory during the final five minutes but did not get a shot on goal down the stretch.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Evan Raimist was busy most of the afternoon as Wilmington maintained a consistent territorial edge. The Wildcats out-shot Shippensburg 18-7 and held a 5-3 margin in corner kicks.
 
Raimist made six saves – three in each half.
 
Shippensburg returns to action a week from today in a 4 p.m. match at West Virginia Wesleyan in Buckhannon, W.Va.