The No. 2 Shippensburg University field hockey team overcame an early deficit Tuesday night to post a pivotal 3-2 victory over No. 3 Kutztown in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) showdown under the lights at Andre Reed Stadium.
 
Shippensburg (11-2, 5-0) and Kutztown (9-2, 3-2) went toe-to-toe in the latest edition of the budding rivalry, exchanging four goals in the first half to create a 2-2 score at the intermission. A third-quarter goal by junior Tess Jedeloo, her 10th of the season, proved to be the game-winner and was the only tally of the second half.

The three goals scored Tuesday night by the Raiders were more than Kutztown had allowed all season (two) entering the game. All nine of KU's wins have been by shutout, with its only loss being a 2-1 overtime setback at No. 1 ESU.
 
SU's victory ended a streak of 13 consecutive home victories for the Golden Bears that dated back to the start of the 2022 season. Prior to Tuesday, Kutztown's only home loss in that span was a setback in last year's conference semifinals.
 
It was KU that struck first Tuesday night, capitalizing on a string of consecutive penalty corners with a goal by Grace Harrold from deep in the scoring circle that appeared to ricochet in off a Raider defender. It gave the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead with 4:59 left in the opening quarter.
 
Just 21 seconds later, SU equalized. Sophomore Taryn Mayer collected a loose ball off a tipped shot in the scoring area and jammed the rebound into the goal to make it 1-1.
 
Early in the second quarter, Mayer scored again – her sixth goal of the season – by rocketing home a shot into the lower left portion of the cage from deep in the scoring circle.
 
The Raider lead lasted for most of the quarter until the Golden Bears were awarded a stroke after a penalty-corner shot hit an SU defender who was behind the goalkeeper. KU's Mackenzie Kile converted, and the 2-2 score lasted into halftime.
 
Jedeloo's game-winning goal came more than midway through the third quarter. It was another goal off a penalty corner, with junior Yasmin De Meyer serving as the inserter this time. Jedeloo received the feed, dribbled into the circle, and slammed home the decisive strike.
 
Both teams finished with five shots on goal. Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Emma Albee was credited with three saves; she was key in the second half by coming out to kick away several dangerous chances in the scoring circle.
 
The hosts finished with 11 corners to Shippensburg's three – eight of KU's corners came in the first half and many were in succession in the sequences that led to both of its goals.

Coincidentally, it is the third straight game Shippensburg has won by a 3-2 score – all coming against nationally-ranked opponents (Saturday vs. No. 7 Mansfield, last Wednesday vs. No. 4 West Chester). Ten of Shippensburg's 13 games this season have been against nationally-ranked opponents.
 
Shippensburg will host Slippery Rock at noon Saturday at Robb Sports Complex.