Slippery Rock University’s women’s field hockey team was handed its first loss of the season last Wednesday night in its home opener at Mihalik-Thompson Field against the currently undefeated Washington and Jefferson Presidents.
The game proved to be a defensive struggle with the final score being 1-0. Senior defenseman Rachel Buyan scored the game’s lone goal for Washington and Jefferson just a little more than ten minutes into the second half. The goal was unassisted and came right after a penalty corner. The goal was her third of the season. Buyan was selected to the all-ECAC Division III First Team last season.
“I expected them to be very good. They went to the NCAA’s last year. They’re an excellent Division III team,” Swiney said of W&J.
Between The Rock and W&J, eight shots were recorded. SRU had five to the Presidents’ three. Hannah Downing led The Rock with two shots recorded. Only three other players for Slippery Rock recorded a shot. Of the Green and White’s five shots, two were shots on goal. Slippery Rock recorded no shots in the second half.
With close to ten minutes to play in the game, Slippery Rock took a timeout. During the timeout Coach Swiney told her players to believe in themselves and to do their best to score.
Sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Murphy played all 70 minutes for The Rock recording two saves and allowing one goal. Murphy’s record drops to three wins and one loss on the year. Sophomore goalkeeper Rena Israel stayed in net for the Presidents playing 70 minutes and recording two saves. Isrsael’s record improved to three wins and zero losses.
This game marked SRU’s first loss ever to Washington and Jefferson making Slippery Rock’s record against the Presidents six wins and one loss.
Despite the loss, the Green and White are a three win one loss team for the first time in five years.
Speaking after the game Swiney said of the game’s outcome, “I hope it helps them learn to work together and trust each other a little bit more.”
SRU will play again at home on Wednesday, September 19th at 7:00 PM against the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks at Mihalik-Thompson Field. IUP carries a one win three loss record into the match-up with Slippery Rock.
