SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The No. 1-ranked Shippensburg University field hockey team posted its first home win over West Chester in five years on Tuesday, shutting out the No. 2-ranked Golden Rams by a score of 4-0 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup on a sunny afternoon at Robb Sports Complex.
Shippensburg's (9-0, 4-0 PSAC) strong start gave the Raiders a lead that would not be relinquished. Senior
Jenna Sluymer had two goals, while senior
Jazmin Petrantonio posted one goal and two assists. Freshman
Tess Jedeloo scored her first collegiate goal, while graduate
Caitlyn Wink and senior
Adrienne McGarrigle each earned an assist.
After the first quarter, the Raiders gained the lead off a penalty corner taken by Wink and shot home by Sluymer – extending her goal-scoring streak to six straight games. The Golden Rams did not get a shot on goal in the entire first half, as the Raider defense only allowed three shots on goal and four penalty corners in the match.
After halftime, the Raiders scored two goals in the third quarter. A restart and pass from McGarrigle to Petrantonio led to a goal from the top of the arc on a reverse hit. SU made it 3-0 from a penalty corner shot by Petrantonio that was tapped in by Jedeloo.
The Raiders kept the momentum going in the fourth quarter and totaled seven shots on goal and a goal by Sluymer, whose shot was deflected in by a Golden Ram to create the final 4-0 margin.
In addition to the tough Shippensburg defense, the Raider offense had 14 shots on goal and 13 penalty corners.
West Chester (8-2, 3-1 PSAC) goalkeeper Claire Nielsen made nine saves, a career-high, while 2019 PSAC Defensive Player of the Year Caitie McNamara was credited with a defensive save.
It is the fourth time in the last 40 years that Shippensburg has posted a clean sheet against West Chester, and matches SU's most lopsided victory over the Golden Rams in modern history (SU posted a 4-0 win in the 2018 national semifinals in Pittsburgh).
Shippensburg will be on the road Saturday as they travel to No. 5 Kutztown for a conference matchup at noon at Andre Reed Stadium.
