SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University lacrosse team opened Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play on Tuesday afternoon with a 12-7 loss to visiting Kutztown at Robb Sports Complex.
 
Shippensburg (3-2, 0-1 PSAC) managed just one first-half goal and trailed 5-1 at halftime but scored twice in the first five minutes of the second half. Kutztown (5-0, 1-0) responded with seven of the next eight goals to build a 12-4 advantage. SU scored three times in the final six minutes for the final scoring margin.
 
The Raiders out-shot Kutztown, 29-25, but 10 of those shots were errant. Golden Bear goalkeeper Jen Bergey made 12 saves, as the visitors scored goals on nearly 50 percent of their shots taken on the day. Draw controls were 11-10 in favor of Kutztown, while the two teams were within three turnovers and one groundball of each other at the conclusion of the contest.
 
Seven different Raiders finished with one goal. Senior Tanisha Joseph netted SU's lone goal of the first half, while freshman Maggie Lawshe and junior Ali Harclerode scored early in the second half. Lawshe's goal came on a breakaway, as Kutztown was whistled for a foul as their goaltender was in possession of the ball by herself in the defensive backfield.
 
Freshman Kelley Dietz recorded her first collegiate tally in the midst of Kutztown's second-half scoring run. Junior Amanda Frank, freshman Kyra Shank and freshman Madi Newman added goals late in the game.
 
SU did have notable performances from back-line players in the contest. Sophomore Makenzie Magnotta had three caused turnovers and four groundballs, while junior Annemarie Cericola had two caused turnovers and five groundballs. The two players combined for nearly half of the team's caused turnovers and more than a third of the groundball pickups.
 
Junior Max Barkley returned to the lineup and managed five draw controls, three caused turnovers and two groundballs. Freshman Valerie Hertz also made an impact on defense with four groundballs and a caused turnover.
 
Senior Ally Frymoyer made nine saves in the loss.
 
Shippensburg travels to Lock Haven next Wednesday for a 3 p.m. conference showdown with the Lady Eagles.