SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University field hockey team scored three times in the first half on Sunday en route to a 4-1 victory over Merrimack in an NCAA Division II Quarterfinal matchup on a sunny and pleasant afternoon at Robb Sports Complex.
 
Shippensburg (17-4) scored two goals in four minutes midway through the first half to take an early lead. A penalty in the circle resulted in a Raider corner, allowing sophomore Jazmin Petrantonio the opportunity to net her 24th goal this season.
 
Four minutes later, Petrantonio sent a long pass down the field for freshman Valen Alonso, who dribbled the ball through two defenders, tipping her shot above the pads of the Merrimack goalkeeper.
 
Sophomore Emily Stauffer tallied the third SU goal of the half at the 18-minute mark, giving the Raiders a commanding lead after 35 minutes of play.
 
In the second half, freshman Jenna Sluymer added extra insurance for the Raiders with her 12th goal of the season. After hitting the post twice in the half, Sluymer was able to bury a rebound from an initial shot from Stauffer, putting the Raiders up 4-0.
 
Merrimack (18-4) added a goal late in the second half to eliminate a shutout. The shot, taken by Lindsay Nolte, was one of two shots on goal by the Warriors.
 
Shippensburg finished with a 13-2 advantage in shots on goal and a 15-3 edge in penalty corners. SU is now 12-10 in the NCAA Tournament, including seven consecutive victories.
 
Both teams entered Sunday's matchup ranked No. 3 in the final edition of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II national rankings. It was the first-ever meeting between the two squads.
 
With the victory, Shippensburg advances to the NCAA Semifinals for the 10th time in program history. The Raiders will face No. 1 West Chester in Pittsburgh on Thursday.
 
UP NEXT: Thursday, 2 p.m. vs. West Chester (NCAA Semifinals at Duquesne).