SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Junior Allison Fugate scored a free-position goal with 27 seconds remaining Tuesday to propel the Shippensburg University lacrosse team to a 9-8 victory over Shepherd in a wild home opener and regional showdown from Robb Sports Complex.
 
Shippensburg (2-0) established an 8-5 lead with 19 minutes to play, but Shepherd (0-1) countered with three goals of its own to tie the score with 9:14. The two teams exchanged numerous scoring opportunities over a frenzied final nine minutes, with the Raiders twice hitting the post, before Fugate eventually cashed in late on a free position.
 
Senior Max Barkley won the ensuing draw, and the Raiders maintained possession down to the final whistle to clinch the victory.
 
The second half was a noted departure from the first half, in which the two teams combined for just four goals and a 2-2 halftime tie. Shippensburg opened the second half with two goals in 1:20, kicking off a sequence in which the teams combined for 10 goals in the first 12 minutes after the intermission. The Raiders held leads of 6-2, 7-4 and 8-5 before the Rams rallied to force the exciting finish.
 
Senior Amanda Frank notched a hat trick for the second straight game, scoring twice on free positions in addition to a pair of caused turnovers and groundballs. Fugate scored twice and was all over the field, totaling two caused turnovers, two groundballs and two draw controls. Senior Ali Harclerode also scored twice.
 
Barkley finished with a goal, two draw controls, and team highs of five groundballs and four caused turnovers. Sophomore Madi Newman had a goal and an assist, while sophomore Maggie Lawshe assisted on the first two goals of the second half.
 
SU's defense held the opponent to less than 10 goals for the second straight game. Senior Annemarie Cericola had four draw controls and two groundballs, while sophomore Valerie Hertz had four groundballs, two draw controls and two caused turnovers. SU finished with 12 caused turnovers to Shepherd's five.
 
Sophomore Bridgette Morrissey made four saves in goal, including a pivotal stop with 4:42 remaining that kept the match tied. Shepherd keeper Casey Hickman finished with 14 saves.
 
Tuesday's game did not feature much flow, as a combined 64 fouls and seven yellow cards resulted in multiple stretches of play that were littered with whistles and restarts. There were three goals scored with a man-advantage – two by the Raiders and one by the Rams.
 
Shippensburg returns to action at 1 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Alderson Broaddus in a non-conference matchup from Robb Sports Complex.