Box Score Shippensburg, Pa. – (8/31/2012) – The action picked up in the second half of the Griffins first contest at the Raider Classic, as sophomore forward Patrick Steger (La Plata, Md.) sparked Chestnut Hill College for three goals in twenty-minute stretch, before a late Shippensburg University rally ended the contest on a 3-2 final. Steger first assisted junior midfielder Darryl Richardson (Washington Township, N.J.), who quickly repaid the favor, and then added an unassisted score in the 73^rd minute to provide the Griffins the necessary insurance.
 
An emotional first half left Shippensburg University (0-1) short two players and only 16 minutes into the second half Chestnut Hill College (1-0) broke the stalemate on Richardson's tally, 1-0 (45:16). The Raiders responded with two strikes at the Griffins goal, but the first was denied by sophomore goalkeeper David Sullivan (Kutztown, Pa.) and the second blocked by a Griffin defender, before the lead was extended to 2-0 on Richardson's cross to Steger (49:22). Play remained physical through the second half, but an unassisted Steger goal brought the Griffin lead to 3-0 with only 25:37 remaining in the affair. Unfortunately, the Raiders mustered a response. Breaking the shutout at 72:24 on an unassisted goal from senior defenseman Austin Hill (Wilmington, Del.) and threatening the Griffin victory with a second goal of the head of sophomore forward James Connor (Manchester, England) at 79:30. But the Raider rally was cut short with the Griffins regaining composure and controlling the final 10:30 for the 3-2 opening triumph.
 
Sullivan was stellar in goal, equalizing the Raiders 26-8 shot advantage with 13 saves. Hill and sophomore forward Fred Lucas (San Jose, Costa Rica) each put four shots on goal, but only Hill was successful. Connor's goal was scored on a corner restart from senior defenseman Sam Talbot (Halifax, England). Senior goalkeeper Clay Sale (Fort Collins, Colo.) made one save in the loss (0-1).
 
Richardson led the Griffins with three shots, he was successful on one, while Steger netted both of his. Junior midfielder Hernan Angulo (Lima, Peru), junior defenseman Darius Gbunblee (Philadelphia, Pa.), and sophomore forward Channing Couillard (Jacksonville, Fla.) recorded the other Griffin strikes. In goal, Sullivan (1-0) made a career-high 13 saves.         
 
The men's soccer team continues play at the Raider Classic on Sunday, September 2, with a 3:00 p.m. contest against the University of the District of Columbia.