SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's soccer team weathered the offensive onslaught of visiting West Chester on Tuesday and put forth an inspired performance to come from behind and achieve a 2-1 victory over the Golden Rams in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup held under the lights at David See Field.
 
The difference in the match was the game-winner by sophomore Gabrielle Walker, whose header off SU's lone corner kick came with 50 seconds left on the clock.
 
Shippensburg (3-6-2, 3-4-2) adjusted its defensive shape to prepare for the talented West Chester (7-4-0, 6-4-0) striker tandem of Faith Matter and Alyson Cutter, as multiple Raiders roamed the field in different positions from their traditional locations. Just five minutes in, a giveaway led to immediate danger, and Matter capitalized by ripping a shot into the net for her sixth goal of the season.
 
Despite the early hole and a 1-0 halftime deficit, SU remained vigilant and continued to withstand the Golden Ram attack. The visitors finished with a 14-4 advantage in shots on goal, but the Raiders were able to force many of those on-target attempts to come from longer range.  
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Kirstin Brown was once again crucial to the cause, finishing with 13 saves. It was the second-most saves Brown has made in a match; her previous high remains 16 recorded in the 2-2 tie versus Kutztown back in September.
 
SU did not have many offensive chances, but it made two of them count.
 
Eight minutes into the second half, the Raiders approached the attacking third and junior Maegan Quinn sent a strong pass into freshman Lannah Werynski, who dribbled around a couple of Golden Ram defenders.
 
Werynski sent a subtle chip back to junior Ryleigh Cook, who immediately lofted a shot from about 25 yards out that soared into the top middle of the cage past the outstretched arms of WCU keeper Grace Keen to even the score at 1-1.
 
The visitors enhanced their surge forward, but the work of Brown and her fellow defenders – particularly sophomore Mia Kemp and senior Chloe Chipego, kept the Golden Rams at bay. Kemp is among the players who was moved to work primarily along the back lines in recent matches.
 
Another one of those players is Walker – who first arrived as a defender last season before transitioning to a role up top as a forward. On Wednesday, Walker returned to patrolling the back and helped clear the ball out of harm's way on multiple occasions.
 
After the constant WCU barrage, SU began to push back in the final five minutes – ultimately earning its only corner kick with a minute to go.
 
Werynski sent the initial corner into traffic; it went off a head and ricocheted back into space, so Werynski sent another cross back into the box. Keen came out and punched the ball out – right into the waiting approach of Walker – who headed the ball into the net for her first goal of the season.
 
The victory is just the sixth for Shippensburg in 42 career matchups with West Chester. The Golden Rams entered Wednesday having won six straight meetings dating back to the last Raider win in the matchup – 3-1 on Oct. 2, 2021 at David See Field. Prior to that result, WCU had won 17 straight in the series.  
 
SU has now recorded points in four straight home matches (2-0-2 in that span) and in five of its last seven matches overall.
 
Shippensburg returns to action at noon Saturday at Kutztown.