The Shippensburg University lacrosse team used a strong start to the second half Saturday to pull away from Shepherd in an 11-9 season-opening win in Shepherdstown, W.V.
 
With the score tied 5-5 at half, Shippensburg (1-0) started the second half by scoring five of the first six goals between the two teams.
 
Sophomore Jordan Kengor scored both of SU's goals to start the second half before Shepherd scored to make it 7-6, Raiders. The Raiders responded with two goals by freshman Madi Newman and a tally by junior Amanda Frank to pull ahead, 10-6.
 
Newman led SU on the day with four goals while Frank found the net three times.
 
Shepherd, however, came back with three straight goals to cut the Raider lead to one. Junior Ali Harclerode scored to make it 11-9 Raiders before both teams went scoreless over the final 5:34.
 
Sophomore Allison Fugate scored her first goal of the season in the first half. Junior T.J. Johnson and freshman Kelley Dietz each had an assist.
 
Among the defenders, junior Annemarie Cericola had a team-high six groundballs and two draw controls while junior Max Barkley recorded five groundballs and three draw controls.
 
The Raiders are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Hickory, N.C. to take on Lenoir-Rhyne at noon.