SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The No. 6-ranked Shippensburg University field hockey team could not overcome a slow start Wednesday as it dropped a 2-1 decision to rival No. 4 East Stroudsburg in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup from a hot and humid Robb Sports Complex.
 
Shippensburg (4-4, 1-1 PSAC) put forth a valiant effort in the fourth quarter, outshooting the Warriors 6-3 over the final 15 minutes. Sophomore Valen Alonso scored with 8:50 left to play to cut the lead in half, and had an opportunity at the final buzzer to tie the game but her shot traveled just high of the cage.
 
East Stroudsburg (9-1, 2-0 PSAC) blitzed the Raiders in the first quarter, out-shooting their hosts by a 9-0 margin and scoring two early goals that proved the difference. Celeste Veenstra capitalized on a turnover less than two minutes in for her 11th goal of the season, and Jordyn Wigglesworth tipped home a shot on a corner that gave ESU a 2-0 lead within the first seven minutes.
 
The two teams combined for just five total shots in the middle two quarters.
 
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Megan Lay was tested early and made several splendid stops to keep the Raiders in the game. Lay equaled her career high with eight saves in the contest.
 
East Stroudsburg finished with a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal and an 11-2 edge in penalty corners.
 
The game was selected for the NCAA Division II Showcase and broadcast live on Facebook and Twitter. It was a rematch of the 2018 NCAA Division II Championship game and the only regular-season meeting this year between the two teams.
 
All four of the Raider setbacks this season have been by just one goal against nationally-ranked opponents.
 
The Raiders will be back in action at 6 p.m. Saturday when they travel to face the Mountaineers of Mansfield at Karl Van Norman Field.