SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University lacrosse team could not get past visiting Shepherd on Saturday, dropping a 13-9 decision to the visiting Rams in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup on Senior Day at Robb Sports Complex.
 
Shippensburg (0-4, 0-3 PSAC East) and Shepherd (2-1, 2-1) exchanged three key scoring runs. The Rams built a 5-1 lead with 11:19 left in the first half that prompted a Raider timeout. Shippensburg proceeded to hold the visitors scoreless for the remainder of the half, using a 4-0 run to tie the score at 5-5 at halftime.
 
Shepherd countered by opening the second half on a 5-0 run, building a 10-5 lead with 21:46 to go. The Raiders were not able to reduce their deficit to less than four goals the rest of the way.
 
Shippensburg out-shot Shepherd by seven and posted a 14-10 advantage in draw controls, but Ram captain goalkeeper Hailey Bennett made 15 saves en route to the win. The visitors were also granted 12 free positions – scoring on seven – while the Raiders were 0-for-4 on such opportunities.
 
Three Raiders scored twice. Sophomore Gabby Savarino had two goals, collected three groundballs, and led all players with seven draw controls. Fellow sophomore Hannah Seifried had two goals, two groundballs and four draw controls.
 
Freshman Kayla Jones scored her first two collegiate goals, while fellow freshman Bailey Krahl had a goal and two assists. Senior Alana Cardaci and freshman Abby Seasock each had a goal and an assist, while sophomore Sydney Costanza contributed an assist.
 
Senior defender Madi Jones had two of SU's six caused turnovers and picked up a draw control as well.
 
Freshman Ally Weneta started in goal and made five saves. Redshirt-sophomore KiKi Brasher entered in relief for the final 11:43.
 
Shepherd got four goals and an assist from two players – Katherine Campbell and Sidney Kelly. In a rarity, none of the Ram starters collected a draw control, but reserves Paige Alexander, Paige Stoner and Kaiya Edwards combined for all 10 of Shepherd's draw controls.
 
Before the game, Shippensburg honored seniors Cardaci, Jessica DeMarte, Jones, Jena MacDonald, Maddy Rinker and Maddy Siejk in a ceremony.
 
Shippensburg is on the road for its next two games, beginning 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bloomsburg.