It would be safe to say that the Shippensburg women’s lacrosse team exceeded expectations last year. After rebuilding in the 2005 season, the Lady Raiders found their way into the PSAC playoffs, posting a record of 8-8 overall and 6-6 within the PSAC conference.

Even so, it appears to be rebuilding all over again. Shippensburg must overcome the loss of eight players to graduation and two seniors deciding to pursue academic interests. Also, former head coach Bertie Landes will be concentrating on field hockey full time.

Stepping in as the head coach will be Naomi Radio, assistant coach last year and an alumna of nearby Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md. A three-time Northeast Conference (NEC) selection, Radio was the conference’s player of the year in 2004 and is the school’s all-time leader in saves, minutes played, and wins. It will be imperative that the junior class steps up as leaders.

Shippensburg lost its top scorers Kim Hudicka and Cristin Marron, who combined to score 118 goals last year on their way to All-PSAC Honors. Shippensburg’s top returning scorer is junior Kristen Crutchfield. In her first season after transferring from Queens (N.C.), Crutchfield tallied 38 goals to go with six assists. She will be expected to lead the offensive attack for the upcoming season. Joining her at the attack and midfield positions will be juniors Brita Paul and Kelly Smith. Paul, a converted defender, scored 16 goals and seven assists, while Smith scored ten goals to go along with four assists. They look to compliment each other’s strengths while keeping the Lady Raiders’ scoring attack balanced. At midfield and attack positions will be all first-time starters. Sophomore Hannah Sperber tallied five goals and three assists last year, and she hopes to build on those totals in her second year starting. Juniors Kelly Erisman and Katie Irwin, who played limited minutes last season, will be counted on for contributions.

The Shippensburg defense improved last season, but it still allowed opponents an average of 12.6 goals per game along with 23.6 shots per contest. The defnese will be looking to make further strides for this season by using experience to its advantage. The key loss on the defensive side is Kaitlin Keene, who lead the team in ground balls with 47 and caused turnovers with 21. The lone returning starter on defense is sophomore Beth Long, who finished second on the Lady Raiders in ground balls and caused turnovers with 27 and 20, respectively.

One of the most versatile players on the team, she will be looked upon to lead the defense and continue
improving. Joining Long are newcomers Sarah Petrucci and Liz DiNunno. DiNunno was first team all-county for Fallston High (Md.) her senior year.

Expecting to see more action this season are returning players Allie Rutland and Kelsey Browning, who gained valuable experience in 2006. Also lost to graduation is goalkeeper Michelle Mangle, who did not miss a minute last year. Freshman Lauren Marron will be called upon to anchor this season, but depth will be thin, as transfer Brooke Miller will redshirt this season.

If the Lady Raiders continue to prosper in the same way as last year, they will be looking at a trip to the PSAC tournament for the third time since 2004. That year, the team finished with a 10-5 record overall and a mark of 9-3 in conference before losing to Bloomsburg in the semifinals.

In a reverse from last season’s schedule, four of the team’s first five games are on the road, including their first PSAC contest against Indiana (Pa.) and another road contest against reigning PSAC champion West Chester. The crucial point in the schedule will be a three game home stretch against West Chester, PSAC regular-season champion Lock Haven, and East Stroudsburg.