ERIE, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team broke open a tight game with a pair of late-first-half-goals and went on from there to defeat Mercyhurst University 4-0 Wednesday afternoon. The Rock won its fourth straight and improved to 5-2 overall and to 4-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The Lakers' records fell to 2-3-2 and 2-3-2 respectively.

Slippery Rock took a one nothing advantage when the Lakers, in attempt to clear the ball, put a shot past goalkeeper Ellie McDougall. The goal was credited as a team goal to for The Rock as they went on to take a 1-0 lead.

The Rock then put some distance between itself and Mercyhurst late in the half when sophomore Australian midfielder Tess Keeley and freshman forward Brooke Testa scored 1:13 apart. Both Keeley and Testa were first half substitutions. Keeley's first goal of the year, at 40:41, came about two minutes after entering play while Testa's second of the season was cashed at 41:54. Slippery Rock outshot the Lakers 7-3 in the opening 45 minutes. Mercyhurst had allowed a combined three first half goals in its prior six contests - until Wednesday.

Slippery Rock wasted little time after intermission in making it 4-0 as junior forward Dara Demich converted her sixth goal of the season. Demich received a crossing pass in the middle of the box and placed a shot into the back of the net at 52:43. Neither team was able to score in the final 37:17. SRU outshot Mercyhurst 4-1 in the second half and 11-4 for the entire forty minutes.

SRU freshman goalkeeper Charlotte Elrod (5-2-0) was credited with three saves. McDougall made five stops for the Lakers.

Slippery Rock continued its dominance of Mercyhurst in recent years. SRU is now 5-0-1 in its last six meetings with the Lakers and has outscored them 21-1 during that time. The last Mercyhurst goal against The Rock came October 16, 2010 (Perrin Kern; 82:44), in a 2-1 loss at Slippery Rock.

The Lakers will be back in action this Saturday, at home, against PSAC-foe Seton Hill. The contest, part of Homecoming Weekend, will begin at 1pm.