For the first time in school history, the Slippery Rock field hockey team has moved up to No. 9 in the national rankings. Their previous highest rank of all time was 10th, which they matched last week after originally doing so in 1987.
For the last few games, the Rock was led by Allison Shade, who earned Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Field Hockey Player of the Week after her great performances last week. She had the game-winning goal against PSAC-rival Mercyhurst last Wednesday, and followed it up by scoring the first two goals of the game against Seton Hill University on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Green and White defeated Seton Hill on the road 5-1, winning the second straight PSAC-West matchup. Courtney Lee had six saves in goal and Carlee DuMars had two saves of her own. Shade had two goals, and Lindsey Brown, Gabrielle Malishchak, and Rebecca Williams each had one apiece.
Head coach Julie Swiney is excited about the two big wins in the PSAC.
“I am extremely proud of the team for the big wins over two tough PSAC-West opponents last week,” Swiney said.
Despite being shutout against Bloomsburg and Millersville two weeks ago, the Rock had no problem scoring when their offense erupted over the weekend, Swiney added.
“A combination of hard work at practice and playing with discipline, and execution on the field helped us score this week.”
The Rock rounded off a great weekend with yet another win against Mansfield University on Tuesday, 2-1. The Green and White were outshot 22-6, but behind great goaltending they pulled out the win. Brown and Kaitlin McGinnis each chipped in a goal. Lee had 11 saves in goal.
Lee said that team morale seems to be very high right now, riding the three-game winning streak, along with being ranked ninth in the nation.
“We are all super excited to have our school’s highest ever ranking in the nation and our teamwork and hard work is finally paying off.”
SRU returns to action Friday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium where they host No. 1 West Chester University in a 3 p.m. PSAC crossover matchup.
