SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University lacrosse team could not maintain a three-goal halftime lead Wednesday in it 2025 season opener, dropping a 9-8 decision to regional rival Shepherd in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division showdown on a bitterly cold day at Robb Sports Complex.
 
Shippensburg (0-1, 0-1 PSAC East) maintained a 4-2 lead after the first quarter and a 6-3 lead at halftime over Shepherd (1-0, 1-0) but scored just twice in the second half. The Raiders ultimately could not overcome 29 turnovers, as the Rams opened the third quarter with a decisive 5-0 run over a 12-minute span.
 
The first two collegiate goals for freshman Maddie Phommachanh made it 8-8 with 13:06 to go, but the Raiders were held scoreless the rest of the way. The game-winning goal was a strike by Katie Paredes, her fourth of the contest, with 6:59 left.
 
Sophomore Brynn Hauck, who scored one goal in 17 starts last season working primarily as a back-line defender, finished Wednesday with four goals, an assist, two groundballs and eight draw controls. The primary duo of junior Ali Pioli in the circle and Hauck on the exterior helped Shippensburg post a lopsided 16-4 advantage in draw controls.
 
Phommachanh added three caused turnovers and two groundballs to her final stat line. Junior Grace DeMarzio had five draw controls, five groundballs and three caused turnovers. DeMarzio and Pioli each had an assist.
 
Sophomore Alexa Bailey netted the game's opening goal and sophomore Ava Collins also struck in the first half. Senior Kayla Vosburg made eight saves in goal for the Raiders.
 
Shepherd's Grace Lyon finished with three caused turnovers, three draw controls and three groundballs. Holly Poe and Kelsey King each scored twice, while Aubrey Harrison had a goal and two assists. Destiny Rockwell made 11 saves.
 
Shippensburg hosts Wilmington at noon Saturday at Robb Sports Complex.