Shippensburg University Athletics

The Shippensburg University lacrosse program has announced its 2009 captains will be senior defender Beth Long, senior defender Kelsey Browning and junior goalkeeper Brooke Miller as the team continues preparations for the 2009 regular season.

The 2009 edition of Shippensburg lacrosse boasts a strong mix of experienced returning players and talented newcomers. After a disappointing 2008 campaign, the Lady Raiders, led by third-year head coach Naomi Radio, are looking to return to the PSAC Championship for the fourth time in the last six years.

To do so, they will have to navigate the newly formed and highly competitive Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) which includes reigning national champion West Chester (preseason No. 1), traditional rivals Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg and Millersville along with Kutztown, who reinstated its women’s lacrosse program last year after a 17-year hiatus.

Shippensburg’s tough conference schedule also includes three crossover contests against the likes of recent rival Indiana (Pa.), Mercyhurst (preseason No. 7) and Gannon (preseason No. 8).

Before conference play, the Lady Raiders will hit the road and play three games in Denver, Colorado over spring break. Shippensburg will open its season against Regis University followed by games against St. Andrew’s Presbyterian and Seton Hill. The team will also face strong regional opponent Queens.

In order to be successful this season, Shippensburg will have to overcome the loss of a talented 2008 senior class. The departure of leading scorer Katie Irwin along with Brita Paul, Kelly Smith, Kelly Erisman and Allie Rutland has left the team with big shoes to fill both in the midfield and on attack. New goal scorers and offensive leaders will need to emerge.

Browning and Long join fellow senior Hannah Sperber  and Hannah Taylor as an experienced and balanced group that is ready to lead nine juniors, four sophomores and eight freshmen this season.

“As individuals, our seniors are talented athletes, strong students, and good teammates, but it is as a unit that they really shine,” Radio said. “They complement each other extremely well, lead both vocally and by example and hold their teammates to a high standard.”    

It is now up to the rest of the Lady Raiders to follow that lead as they look to make their mark on the PSAC Eastern Division and return to the PSAC Championships.

“If our Fall season and preseason practices are any indication, our players are itching to get on the field and re-establish themselves as a team that will not be backing down from competition,” Radio said. 


Led by senior Hannah Sperber, who was limited by injury last season and is returning from major knee surgery, the Shippensburg attack is full of players ready to step up and score goals. Junior Sandy Sigel scored 15 goals and started in 15 games last season and is a great feeder and finisher. Classmate Erin Bergstrom has great vision and stick work and will look to increase her role in the offense.

Sophomores Melissa Begley, who was hampered by illness last season, and Katie Brewer, who red-shirted last season, are great shooters who will keep defenses honest. The attacking unit will also look for contributions from athletic freshmen Lauren Hauck and Jessica Schubach, who demonstrated a knack for scoring goals throughout their high school careers.
 


The midfield is directed by senior Hannah Taylor - whose unmatched consistency and dependability anchors the squad. She leads a varied and talented group that blends strong stick skills with speed and athleticism. Junior Liz DiNunno, the team’s second leading scorer last season, returns with 32 starts under her belt and may be the team’s most complete player.

Sophomore center Karen Schnurr started every game as a freshman and will continue to take most of the draws for the Lady Raiders. Junior Stephanie Sleboda, who scored 19 goals last season, and sophomore Rachael Murray are fantastic athletes who emerged last season as goal-scoring threats every time the ball was in their sticks. Freshmen Shae Keppley and Tanya Herr also bring speed and athleticism to the group and will be competing for playing time.

One player who is making the transition from defense to midfield this season is junior Gayle Kuntzmann. An All-PSAC First Team and All-Region soccer player, Kuntzmann had a break-out lacrosse year in 2008 when she led the nation in groundballs per game and was named to the All-PSAC First Team. The team’s leading scorer in the second half of the season, Kuntzmann will look to become a more consistent offensive threat as she continues to be a force in transition.



Seniors Beth Long and Kelsey Browning lead a rock solid group on defense that will be called upon for strength and dependability. Long is a two-time all-PSAC selection who will look to get more involved in transition while remaining the team’s leader on the defensive end. Her athleticism and knowledge of the game make her a formidable defender. Long is also a standout player for the women’s soccer team and, along with Kuntzmann, was named to the All-PSAC First Team this past fall.

Browning has started nearly every game the past two seasons and is a great off-ball defender who has really improved her one-on-one defense. Her level-headedness and lead-by-example attitude help keep the defensive unit together.

Another returning starter is junior Sarah Petrucci, who has been the definition of consistency after starting every game over the last two years and will continue to direct the unit from her low defensive position. Petrucci’s classmates, Lena Stoneburner and Lauren Marron, have tremendous work ethics and will provide much-needed depth on defense. Freshman Christa Pamperien will also be a contributor.  



Anchoring the defense from the goalkeeper position will be returning starter, junior Brooke Miller. A good shot stopper and hard worker who constantly improves, Miller will be competing for the starting position with two newcomers, freshmen Meghan Kearney and Ali Cross.

Kearney had a superb high school career, capped off by an all-league selection her senior year. Cross is the daughter of former Lady Raider and Hall of Fame inductee Dee (Fichter) Cross and competed in both lacrosse and swimming in high school. 

“Meghan is not only a good shot stopper, but she is really active and involved outside of the crease,” Radio said. “Ali has great presence in the goal and a strong and accurate clear. We are fortunate to have this kind of depth at the goalkeeper position and my hope is that these three push each other to become the best players that they can be.”