SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The sixth-ranked Shippensburg University showed why they are the defending national champions as they took down Mercyhurst by a final of 8-0 on Friday night at the Robb Sports Complex.  

The Raiders jumped in front early as just 2:35 into the first Jazmin Petrantonio carried the ball through the Lakers defense and went low post past goalie Libby Jones for the 1-0 edge.  The Mercyhurst defense tightened up the rest of the frame as they allowed just one more shot at the 7:57 mark by Megan Green whose offering rolled wide.

Shippensburg started the second strong as three different players posted shots in the opening seven minutes, but did not crack through.  Before the half was over Petrantonio would have completed her hat trick and had a chance at a fourth however she was stopped on a penalty stroke attempt by Jones leaving it 3-0 at half.  Mercyhurst recorded one shot 4:25 into the period, unfortunately the attempt from Leah Rogers off a penalty corner missed the cage.

The Lakers looked to cut into the lead right out of the break as Mia D'Amato, Hayley Skidmore, Katie Ballew, and Alexis Skibitsky posted shots in the first five minutes, but keeper Megan Lay was up to the task.  Petrantonio took advantage of the Raiders second penalty corner of the third when Sydney Gillingham found Megan Green whose pass came to Petrantonio who knocked it in.  Gillingham and Petrantonio tacked on goals as well in the frame.

The fourth saw Gabriella Amico see time in goal for Mercyhurst, but Autumn Beattie and Petrantonio hit the back of the cage to finish the scoring.  Alexandria Shumsky recorded the only visitor shot of the fourth.

The road for the Lakers gets no easier as a visit to top-ranked Millersville University awaits them on Sunday afternoon at high noon.