The Slippery Rock University women’s soccer team played a non-conference match against the no.22 ranked West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats this Thursday, September 3rd at James Egli Field in Slippery Rock.
Although The Rock played very tough and competitively, they were unable to come away with a victory, ultimately losing with a score 1-0. The loss puts the ladies 0-2 on the young season with conference play yet to start.
The lone goal came within the very first minute of the match off a corner kick from the Bobcats’ Laura Hill.
Rock head coach Jessica Griggs said the early deficit put her team in a difficult position.
“It is always hard to have work uphill,” Griggs said. “You never want to put yourself in an uphill battle.”
The women came out much stronger in the second half, holding off a strong Bobcat offense to keep the goal differential at one.
Senior team captain Dara Demich is still looking for her first goal of the year and she had one of the Green and White’s seven shots on goal.
“I think we responded well to the goal,” explained Demich. “It is hard to get scored on early like that.”
Sophomore Kylie Downs made her season debut in goal for the Green and White, allowing only one goal and notching four saves on the day.
The Rock generated many offensive chances but were unable to overcome the rugged Marauder defense. Junior Haley Burkholder recorded two shots while junior Tess Keely, sophomores Skye Kramer and Brooke Testa and freshman Tyler Spence each had shots on goal.
The Rock, playing two very high and intense matches within the past several days, look to these games to help them prepare for conference play.
“These games keep us moving and allow us to see what level of playing we need to be at to be able to win,” Demich said.
The Rock will hope to continue their competitive play into next week when they take on Millersville University next Friday, Sept. 9, in their first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) match-up of the season. The match is set for 1 p.m.
SRU lost their only matchup of the season with the Marauders last season at home and hope to return the favor on Millersville’s home turf.
“I always tell the other girls to respect each team and their mission and to do so by playing to the best of their potential,” Griggs said.
