The Shippensburg University lacrosse team picked up its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division victory of the season with an exciting come-from-behind effort Wednesday at Shepherd, 13-12.
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Shippensburg (6-5, 1-5 PSAC East) trailed by two goals entering the fourth quarter, but outscored Shepherd (4-6, 1-5) 3-0 in the final 15 minutes to pull off the win. Junior
Ali Pioli and sophomore
Brynn Hauck both recorded hat tricks, with Pioli providing the game-winner with 5:29 remaining.
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The two teams were never separated by more than three goals in the back-and-forth regional rivalry matchup. Shippensburg led for much of the first half and maintained a two-goal margin at halftime, 7-5. The Rams outscored the Raiders 7-3 in the third quarter and jumped in front by netting the last four goals of the frame, resulting in a 12-10 Shepherd lead.
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The Raiders answered the Ram onslaught with an important sequence midway through the third. Senior goalie
Kayla Vosburg stoned Shepherd on a breakaway with a tremendous double save, which led to a goal by junior
Shannon Wood on the counterattack.
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Vosburg finished with 10 total saves, marking her fourth double-digit save effort of the season.
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A free position goal scored by freshman
Maddie Phommachanh halted the Shepherd momentum and brought the visitors back within a single goal just eighty seconds into the fourth quarter.
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Wood later tied the score with her second tally off an assist from senior
Sara Vosburg with 8:26 remaining in the contest.
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After Pioli put the Raiders in front, the Shippensburg defense managed to hold off a furious Shepherd attack in the final minutes, resulting in the second straight fourth quarter Shippensburg has held its opponent scoreless.
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Sara Vosburg scored twice in addition to assisting on the tying goal. Phommachanh finished with two goals, while sophomore
Olivia Glinski registered a goal and two assists.
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Junior
Grace DeMarzio had another outstanding all-around effort in midfield, posting a team-best eight draw controls and four caused turnovers. Her team-high four groundballs gave her 100 for her career, making her the 15th player in school history to achieve that milestone. Â
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The contest marked the Raiders third one goal game of the season and their first one-goal victory. Four of their last five meetings against Shepherd have been decided by a single goal.
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Next up, the Raiders are scheduled to take on Millersville Saturday under the lights at Biemesderfer Stadium at 7 p.m.
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