A fourth-quarter goal by first-year forward
Anne Gardner in her collegiate debut proved the difference as the No. 3-ranked Shippensburg University field hockey team shut out host No. 7 Mount Olive, 1-0, in a highly competitive season opener for both teams at the Ray McDonald Complex.
The victory marked the 100th in the head coaching career of
Tara Zollinger, who is now 100-23 overall in her seventh season (eighth year) directing the Raiders.
Shippensburg (1-0) and Mount Olive (0-1) were scoreless through three quarters until the final 10 minutes of play. Off an out-of-bounds restart, senior
Valu Paul alertly sent a long ball up field that was glanced forward by junior
Agus Garibaldi.
It went to the stick of Gardner, who out-maneuvered a defender at the edge of the scoring circle to create a mini-breakaway. She sent her shot five-hole into the cage for the decisive strike in her debut.
Shippensburg had to weather multiple offensive flurries from the Trojans, notably in the third quarter. The hosts finished seven shots on goal to SU's six and recorded 10 penalty corners to SU's eight. Five of Mount Olive's corners occurred in the third quarter.
In goal, redshirt-junior captain
Emma Albee was once again staunch. Albee made seven saves to record her seventh career shutout.
Shippensburg will face Belmont Abbey tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.; the match will be hosted by Mount Olive.
