SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Senior Emily Barnard scored a golden goal eight minutes into overtime on Saturday night to propel the Shippensburg University field hockey team over Saint Michael's, 2-1, in a chilly season opener from Robb Sports Complex.
 
Shippensburg (1-0) consistently applied pressure to Saint Michael's (0-1) for much of the night, posting a 34-6 advantage in shots and a 14-2 advantage in penalty corners.
 
After a scoreless first half, SU broke the ice in the 37th minute on a deflection that beat the goalkeeper. Freshman Aerin Kolfoort re-directed a shot from freshman Jazmin Petrantonio to put the Raiders ahead.
 
The Purple Knights tied the game in the 51st minute on a tip-goal from Makayla Foster off an assist from Jackie Matthews. Despite a late offensive onslaught from the Raiders, the game would need extra time to decide a winner.
 
Eight minutes into the extra session, Barnard found the back of a second assist from Petrantonio to give the Raiders their first win of 2017.
 
Junior goalkeeper Ally Mooney registered four saves to record her first win of the season.
 
It was also the first victory new bench boss Tara Zollinger, who made her Raider coaching debut in Saturday's contest.
 
Shippensburg will return to action Sunday at 1:30 p.m. when it hosts Southern Connecticut State.