The No. 5 Shippensburg University field hockey team could not overcome a strong start by host No. 1 West Chester, as the Raiders dropped a 4-1 decision to the undefeated Golden Rams in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup amidst torrential rain at Vonnie Gros Field.
 
Shippensburg (7-5, 4-2 PSAC) hung with the hosts early on, trailing 1-0 at the 20-minute mark, but two goals in a three-minute span of the second quarter by the Golden Rams proved the difference. Weather conditions were suboptimal, with the teams playing in a downpour for the entirety of the match.
 
West Chester (13-0, 6-0) made the most of its early scoring opportunities despite the adverse conditions, scoring three times in the first half including once off a penalty corner. Reigning NFHCA Offensive Player of the Week Katie Thompson registered a hat trick, scoring two of the three first-half goals for the Golden Rams and assisting on the other.
 
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Megan Lay had a valiant effort in goal, making numerous stops at close range to neutralize multiple Golden Ram scoring threats. Lay finished with a career-high 11 saves. Nine of her 12 saves came in the middle quarters.
 
Junior Sarah Womer was credited with her first goal of the season and the second of her career on a tally with just 2:55 remaining, as she sent a centering pass into the scoring arc that deflected off a West Chester stick and into the goal.
 
The tally ended a Golden Ram scoreless streak of more than 632 minutes, as West Chester had posted nine consecutive shutouts entering Wednesday.
 
WCU finished with a 16-4 advantage in shots on goal and a 7-5 edge in penalty corners. Thompson has now scored six career goals against the Raiders after Wednesday's hat trick.
 
The matchup was the second of the season between the two teams, as West Chester notched a 1-0 non-conference victory at Robb Sports Complex back on September 18.
 
Shippensburg returns to action at 5 p.m. Saturday in Erie against Mercyhurst.