The Slippery Rock University field hockey team let up one goal early in the first half, which was enough for Mansfield University to hold on to for a 1-0 win on Wednesday, September sixth. It was the first time that Mansfield won a game in Slippery Rock since 2008
After starting out 2-0 and scoring 7 goals in those two games, Slippery Rock was stuffed for most of the match versus Mansfield, being outshot in both general shots (12-7) and corners (10-6). Head coach Julie Swiney attributed that to the skill the Mansfield possessed.
“They are a great team and they are making waves in the PSAC, we always need to raise the bar when we are playing a PSAC opponent.
For the second straight game, freshman forward Kayla Ulrich led the Rock in shots with three. The other four shots all came off of different sticks: senior forward Alyssa Castle, junior defender Liz Wolfe, junior mid-fielder Hannah Simone, and senior mid-fielder Kayla Mack.
Having single-digit shots on goal for a game doesn’t present many opportunities, which Swiney elaborated on as to why none of the Slippery Rock players could put the ball through the net on Wednesday.
“Lack of overall extra effort, we were able to execute our first shot, but we weren’t able to get a rebound or second shot to put it away.”
Wolfe was also the only player on either team with a shot on goal and a defensive save. Slippery Rock had one other defensive save, which was provided by sophomore mid-fielder Jordan Barnes.
Even though they let up a goal in the first seven minutes, the defensive side for the Rock pulled it all together to shut out the Mustangs for 63 straight minutes. The defense was led by strong efforts from both goalies; senior Nicole Bream allowed the first goal, but recorded three saves in the first half. Bream was then relieved by freshman Maddie Murphy in the second half, who had five saves, giving both her and Bream eight saves apiece on the young season, which puts them in a tie for fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
Swiney was happy with the effort that her players gave on the defensive side after the first goal, but added as to what went wrong to give up that lone goal.
“We played sloppy in the first half, but we cleaned it up in the second half. Overall we’re disconnected as a team and didn’t follow our game plan. ”
Slippery Rock will return to action Saturday in a non-conference game against Kutztown University. The Rock will head home immediately for a game Sunday at 1 p.m. versus Bellarmine University.
