SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's soccer team put forth a valiant effort against the reigning Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champions on Wednesday night, but a goal in the final five seconds gave visiting Bloomsburg a 2-1 victory over the Raiders in an Eastern Division match from David See Field.
 
Shippensburg (3-2-0, 1-2-0 PSAC East) more than held its own against Bloomsburg (4-1-0, 2-1-0), managing multiple shots on goal and taking a 1-0 lead into halftime on the first strike of the season by junior Taylor Moore in the 40th minute.
 
The opening tally was created when sophomore defender Mackenzie Mitchell sent a ball up field that glanced off the back of the head of a Husky defender, setting up a mini-breakaway for Moore. The junior forward maintained patience and fired a shot into the lower-left of the goal.
 
The visitors showcased their speed and synergy through the form of relentless offensive pressure. The second-half began with a blitz on the Raider goal, and a free kick from close range in the 53rd minute by Lauren Hoelke equaled the score. Her rising shot glanced off the out-stretched hands of junior goalkeeper Delaney Shifflett and into the goal.
 
Shifflett was on top form Wednesday night, recording a season-high 12 saves. She made multiple diving stops, and numerous saves came on shots from close range. It marked the eighth double-digit saves effort in Shifflett's career; the junior goalkeeper finished two stops shy of her career high (14) set last season against Gannon.
 
The match ended in heartbreak for the Raiders, as a late run by striker Megan Callan resulted in a goal with 4.9 seconds remaining. Callan weaved through a couple of Raider defenders and sent a rising strike into the top left corner of the goal to give the Huskies the 2-1 victory.
 
Shippensburg is back in action this weekend when it hosts No. 23 Millersville at 4 p.m. Saturday from David See Field.