Shippensburg, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Football team closed their 2021 season on Saturday as they fell to Shippensburg by a score of 17-13.
How it Happened
Shippensburg got on the board first as they kicked a 27 yard field goal with 9:28 remaining in the opening quarter.
The two teams did not score the rest of the quarter. Brian Alsobrooks knocked in a 30 yard field goal just 46 seconds into the second quarter.
Just under five minutes later, the Raiders scored the first touchdown of the day as they punched in a five yard run with 8:32 remaining in the first half.
Alsobrooks made the Shippensburg lead just four as he drilled a 34 yard field goal with 6:09 remaining in the first half.
The Lakers weren't done in the first half, they took the lead with 46 seconds remaining in the first half as Joe Carter connected with Cameron Barmore for an eight yard touchdown pass.
The two teams went into the half with the Lakers up 13-10.
The second half was a defensive struggle as neither team could get much going. Shippensburg scored with 4:30 left in the fourth after 11 play 65 yard drive that took almost six minutes. The Raiders scored on a nine yard run to take the 17-13 lead.
With 45 seconds remaining the Lakers had a chance to take the lead but Carter was sacked and fumbled to close out the game.
By the Numbers
Carter was 15-31 through the air while passing for 263 yards and a touchdown. Makai Burris led all players in receiving yards as had 129 yards on four catches. Justin Hill Jr. and Baramore each had three catches and 40 and 38 yards receiving respectively.
On the defensive side Thomas Zacharyasz had a team high 12 tackles which included a game high eight solo tackles. Fellow tackle machine Jacob Holl had nine total tackles and four solos. Jehrod Gregory tallied the lone Laker sack while Christian Taylor had the only other tackle for a loss.
Thank You Coach
This game marked the end of a storied 20 year career for Head Coach Marty Schaetzle. During his time as the leader of the Lakers he had 97 wins which is most in Mercyhurst history by 56 wins.
Schaetzle announced at the start of the season this would be his final season. Last week he defeated Gannon for the final time by a final score of 24-13.
