Gallery: (9-12-2026) 2026 Field Hockey vs. #3 Newberry
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The No. 1-ranked Shippensburg University field hockey team scored a pair of second-half goals to emerge victorious in a closely-contested matchup against No. 3 Newberry, winning 2-0 in its home opener Saturday at Robb Sports Complex.
Shippensburg (3-0) and Newberry (2-1) entered Saturday's contest having posted shutouts in each of their first two games of the season and allowed just one combined shot on goal.
The first half of the contest – a rematch of last year's NCAA Division II National Championship Game – followed a similar script, with the two clubs combining for just three shots over 30 minutes.
SU came alive in the second half, however, with goals from Elaina Fraggasi and
McKenna Boyle to tilt the game in their favor.
Shippensburg ended the stalemate through Fragassi three minutes after halftime. The SU forward capitalized on a Newberry turnover in the SU offensive zone. She applied pressure after a restart by the Wolves, and after an errant pass toward the goalkeeper was booted back to Fragassi – she dribbled into the circle and followed the rebound of her original shot for the opening goal.
Fragassi also played a major role in the second goal, and in virtually the same fashion as with the first. Following a restart, Fragassi came forward and applied pressure and forced a turnover. She nudged the ball over in the direction of Boyle, who thwarted an attempted clearance, sidestepped an oncoming Newberry defender, and blasted a rocket near post past the keeper.
The Raiders weathered four fourth-quarter Newberry penalty corners to wrap up the victory. The Wolves finished with a 5-to-2 advantage in penalty corners in the contest – all five of which came in the second half.
Shippensburg finished with a 7-to-2 in shots on goal. Goalkeeper
Liv Schweighart had a pair of stops for the Raiders in achieving her third consecutive shutout. Newberry goalkeeper Ayanda Mangenah finished with five saves.
Shippensburg returns to action with another top-flight matchup at 5:30 p.m. Thursday when it travels to face No. 2 Kutztown at Andre Reed Stadium. It will be a non-conference game – the PSAC matchup between the teams is scheduled for October 24 at Robb Sports Complex).
10th Anniversary of 2016 NCAA National Championship Team: At halftime, a ceremony took place on the field in which alumni gathered to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Shippensburg's NCAA Division II National Championship team. The 2016 squad sought to "Leave a Legacy," during a season in which it played in memory of late coach and player Amanda Strous, and capped off a 20-3 season with a 2-1 victory over LIU Post and its second NCAA national title.
