Strong First Half Leads Women's Lacrosse Past IUP, 11-8
Apr. 12, 2007
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Junior Kristin Crutchfield (Eldersburg, Md./Liberty) scored a game-high four goals, including three in the first half as Shippensburg built a four-goal lead en route to an 11-8 victory over Indiana (Pa.) in a key PSAC women's lacrosse game at Robb Sports Complex Thursday.
With the win, their fourth in the last five games, the Lady Raiders (5-5, 4-4 PSAC) are now tied with Millersville for the fourth and final spot in the PSAC Women's Lacrosse Championship with six conference games remaining.
Both Shippensburg and the Marauders are currently one-game behind Bloomsburg for the third-seed following the Huskies 24-1 victory over Slippery Rock at home Thursday.
Meanwhile, the loss was the fifth-straight for IUP (4-7, 3-5 PSAC) and dropped the team to sixth-place in the conference standings. The Crimson Hawks entered Thursday's game tied with the Lady Raiders for fifth, one game behind Millersville and Bloomsburg for third and fourth.
Crutchfield, who entered the game ranked first in the conference in goals per game and third in points per game, now has 40 goals on the season as she has scored at least three in all 10 contests.
With Shippensburg trailing 2-1 following back-to-back goals by IUP's leading scorer in Jackie Rutkowski, Crutchfield quickly tied the game with her second goal just 39 second after Rutkowski's second to tie the game at 2-2.
From there, the Lady Raiders would score six of the game's next seven goals, including the first of the season for sophomore Beth Long (Berwyn/Conestoga), to build an 8-3 advantage with 27:24 remaining in the second half.
Junior Kelly Smith (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) would also net her 21st goal of the season at 16:19 as she and Crutchfield have combined to scored nearly half of Shippensburg's goals this season (61-of-124).
However, IUP would out-score the Lady Raiders 5-2 over the next 15-plus minutes to cut its deficit to only two, 10-8 following Kelly Kummerer's goal at 48:00.
In an effort to keep the Crimson Hawks at bay, Shippensburg would employ a ball control offense, working the ball around the perimeter while forcing the IUP defenders to chase and use up clock time.
The plan worked as the Lady Raiders were able to hold the Crimson Hawks scoreless over the final 12 minutes while adding an insurance goal from freshman Sandy Sigel (Downingtown/Downingtown) en route to their fourth consecutive win at home this season.
In goal, freshman Lauren Marron (Macungie/Emmaus) made 11 saves, including eight in a decisive first half to earn her fifth win this season. For IUP, Katie Lee stopped 22 shots after setting a school record with 33 saves in Monday's home loss to Lock Haven.
Shippensburg will look to remain perfect at home on Saturday when it welcomes Mercyhurst to Robb Sports Complex beginning at 11 a.m. The Lakers are 3-4 this season following Tuesday's 20-9 loss at home to No. 1-ranked Mercyhurst.
- Lady Raider Lacrosse -
