SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - After coming back from a 2-0 deficit to knot the game at 2-2 the Mercyhurst field hockey team dropped their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference contest on Tuesday afternoon by a final of 3-2 to the host Slippery Rock University.
The first shot of the game came just over five-and-a-half minutes in as Coutney Page had her offering blocked by the Lakers defense. Slippery Rock would also record the second chance of the quarter when Kayla Ulrich was blocked off a penalty corner. Mercyhurst had the opportunity to get in front late in the frame as
Hayley Skidmore was turned away by keeper Hannah Nurse and
Katie Goodenow was blocked by the Rock.
Visiting goalie
Libby Jones was tested early as just 42-seconds elapsed in the second when Jessie Trube was denied. Jones would make a save on Page at the 4:03 mark, before conceding to her at 21:47 as she stuck her backhand shot into the cage for the 1-0 lead. The Rock doubled their advantage less than a minute later as Kalie Reed inserted a corner that went to Mikaela Hettel who found Madison Posivak for the shot and goal. The Lakers pulled to within 2-1 before the half when Goodenow buried goal number one for the season off a pass from
Alexis Skibitsky coming down the right side.
To begin the second half
Mikayla Berndt took over in goal for the away team and she was tested early as she made a save on Ulrich and watch Trube fire wide in the opening two minutes. The Rock would post two more shots in the period, while holding Mercyhurst shotless through the 15-minute segment to keep it 2-1 through three.
The Lakers took advantage of their opening chance of the fourth as
Mia D'Amato inserted a corner to
Clare Ahern who dribbled into the circle and ripped a shot past Nurse to draw level 2-2 with 5:28 remaining. There was only one more shot in the game when Trube brought the ball from her defensive-half 60-yards down the right wing into the circle and beat Jones for the 3-2 winner.
Mercyhurst was outshot 11-4 (6-3 on goal). The Rock also held a 6-2 edge in penalty corners.
The Lakers return to action on Saturday, October 26th when the fouth-ranked Golden Bears of Kutztown University visit Saxon Stadium for an 11 am start.
