SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University lacrosse team rallied from multiple deficits on Saturday to achieve its first victory over Mercyhurst in 13 seasons, as the Raiders posted a 13-11 victory over the No. 21-ranked Lakers on a sunny and windy #WiseWillRise Day at Robb Sports Complex.
 
Shippensburg (4-3, 2-1) did not hold a lead until the final 12 minutes on Saturday, but never relinquished its advantage once it went on top. Freshman Hannah Seifried scored the game-tying and go-ahead goals at the 12:34 and 11:50 marks of the second half, and sophomore Alana Cardaci caged her sixth and final goal of the day with 10:25 left to give SU a 12-10 lead entering the home stretch.
 
Mercyhurst (4-3, 1-2) had raced out to a 6-1 lead exactly 10 minutes into the game but was limited to just five goals for the remainder of the contest – including just two goals over the final 21 minutes. The SU defense limited the Lakers to just seven second-half shots, and freshman goalkeeper Shaely Gamble made 10 saves on the day – her second-straight game with double-digit saves.
 
Cardaci's six goals equal a career high set twice previously, including earlier this season at Gannon. Seifried's two goals are her first scored in a four-game stretch. Junior Kami Holt had two goals and an assist, while sophomores Maddy Siejk and Jessica DeMarte and freshman Sydney Costanza also found the back of the net. Costanza's goal gave the Raiders a 13-10 lead with 3:39 remaining.
 
Sophomore Jena MacDonald had two assists – her fourth game this season and 15th of her career with multiple assists. Senior Morgan Stone and freshman Gabby Savarino also added assists.
 
Senior captain Valerie Hertz once again anchored the Raider defense, recording two caused turnovers, two draw controls and four groundballs. Her fellow captains, senior Madi Newman and sophomore Madi Jones were also integral to the defensive effort. Jones was credited with two caused turnovers and a groundball, while Newman tallied two caused turnovers and three groundballs.
 
Gamble had five groundballs and three caused turnovers from the crease. Freshmen Clairanne Chairs and Julia Leishear also collected multiple groundballs. SU lost the draw-control battle by five, but Seifried and DeMarte each recorded four for the Raiders.
 
For the visiting Lakers, Emma Hubert scored four times, while Angelina Simon and Brenna Fosco each scored twice. Kira Kolb had seven draw control and seven groundballs, while Diana Schmitt had a game-high four caused turnovers.
 
The day was a special one for SU Lacrosse, as former captain Julia Wise attended the game along with many of her former teammates. Wise, a former captain and 2017 graduate, was diagnosed with metastatic Stage 4 breast cancer. Donations were collected  
 
UP NEXT: Wednesday, 4 p.m. at Kutztown.