SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's soccer team put forth an exceptional effort Saturday against unbeaten No. 4 Gannon, staking itself to a halftime lead and maintaining that advantage through the 72nd minute, but the visiting Golden Knights rallied to score twice and defeat the Raiders, 2-1, on a cold and wet evening at David See Field.
 
Shippensburg (4-5-1, 3-5-1) had a couple of great scoring chances in the first half and capitalized on the second. In the 27th minute, junior Casey Rightmyer took advantage of her second mini-breakaway of the half by crushing a brilliant strike into the top left corner of the net.
 
The play was set up by a splendid pass from junior Ashley Weaver – her team-leading second assist of the season, and gave the Raiders a 1-0 lead that would last well into the second half.
 
Gannon (10-0, 9-0 PSAC) turned the tables in the final 30 minutes of the contest, controlling possession and tilting the field in its favor. After several near misses, the Golden Knights tied the score with 18:01 remaining as Mani Brueckner scored on a free kick from the far left exterior of the box. It was Brueckner's eighth goal in 10 games this season.
 
With just 4:18 left in regulation, Kaitlyn Kissell collected a loose ball and sent in a long, dipping shot that snuck into the lower left corner of the goal off the hand of sophomore goalkeeper Leah Roy. The tally gave Gannon the 2-1 lead it would take to the final whistle.
 
SU was able to get several solid looks in the final two minutes in an effort to tie the score. The best chance came off the foot of sophomore Kat Hartner, who sent a shot just inches wide of the far post in the final minute.
 
Roy finished with five saves for the Raiders. Gannon had an 8-2 edge in corner kicks and a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Shippensburg hits the road Wednesday for a 1 p.m. PSAC match at Seton Hill.