SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Junior Jeff Ballard scored a golden goal two minutes into overtime Tuesday to hand No. 9 Millersville its first loss of the season, as the Shippensburg University men's soccer team posted a 2-1 victory over the Marauders on a breezy, cloudy afternoon at David See Field.

Shippensburg (6-7, 3-6 PSAC) posted its first victory over Millersville (11-1-1, 8-1) in five years, as the Raiders had dropped 1-0 decisions to the Marauders in each of the last four seasons. SU also moved up temporarily to eighth in the conference standings with two league matches remaining; the Top 6 teams in the PSAC qualify for the postseason.
 
Ballard's goal came on a nifty move in the box, as he dribbled through a couple of defenders into space and snuck a shot into the right side of the net. It was his third goal of the season and his third career game-winning goal.
 
Senior James Connor tied the score during the first half with his fifth tally of the year. Connor capitalized on a Millersville defensive miscue in the 12th minute by ripping a volley into the net off a mini-breakaway.
 
The visitors opened the scoring just 53 seconds in after Jaime Vazquez provided a header redirect of a free kick that soared into the top right of the goal. It was Vazquez's 15th goal of the year.
 
SU nearly scored the game-winning goal with five minutes left in regulation, as freshman Jake Shefsky ran onto a long through ball and snuck a shot clean past Millersville's keeper and mere inches wide of the right post.
                                                
Redshirt-freshman goalkeeper Matt Harder was staunch in goal for the Raiders, finishing with seven saves for the victory. Harder was often perceptive with his reads on long through balls, frequently leaving his crease to stymie scoring chances.
 
SU had lost its last seven matches to nationally-ranked opponents. The Raiders scored their first victory over a nationally-ranked team since a 2-0 win over No. 20 West Virginia Wesleyan on Oct. 7, 2011.
 
Shippensburg travels to New Jersey this Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. non-league match at Bloomfield.