The Slippery Rock University women’s soccer team welcomed the Seton Hill Griffins on Tuesday night for a PSAC match under the lights on Bob DiSpirito field inside of Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
Slippery Rock defeated the Griffins by a score of 2-0, improving their current win streak to three games.
The scoring began in the 39th minute when junior Leslie Henny crossed the ball from the corner to the front of the net towards her teammates. The ball bounced amongst a few players and senior Heather Apodaca of the Griffins deflected the ball into the back of her own goal giving the Rock a 1-0 lead.
In the 72nd minute, sophomore Caitlin Binder scored the second goal of the game off an assist by sophomore Allison Harbart to give the Rock a 2-0 lead. Senior Lauren Impey set the entire play with a penalty kick from near midfield.
Senior Dana O’Neill was a core part of last year’s PSAC championship team. Only allowing four goals thus far this season, O’Neill leads the defense and her team from the net.
“We still have some work to do based on tonight’s game,” O’Neill said. “Our freshmen have done a great job. The experience will come with time, nothing we need to worry about.”
The teams exchanged shots for the remainder of the game but the score remained in Slippery Rock’s favor until the final whistle.
“Defensively we have done a little bit better,” head coach Noreen Herlihy said. “We need to do better in possession. We can get sloppy at times. We have to stay focused and do what we do best, which is passing the ball.”
Prior to the game, Slippery Rock returned to the national rankings. The Rock now occupies the 24th spot overall in Division II women’s soccer.
Last Saturday, Slippery Rock participated in their only non-conference game of the season against the Davis and Elkins University Senators. Behind a strong performance from their freshman class, the Rock defeated the Senators in their first ever meeting in women’s soccer.
Freshman Dara Demich scored her second goal of the season and freshman goalkeeper Annabelle Hegeman allowed zero goals while getting her first collegiate opportunity in goal.
“We definitely expect the freshmen to come in and contribute,” Herlihy said. “You have to give them the experience but you do hope they contribute right away. A lot of the freshmen are contributing this year and we are pleased with that.”
Slippery Rock will take the field Saturday against the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Mountain Cats (0-7), one of the two newest members in the PSAC. Kickoff will be at 4pm on the Pitt-Johnstown soccer field.
