On September 19, 2018, SRU defeated the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks by a score of two to one at Mihalik-Thompson Field.
The game remained tied at zero for nearly 20 minutes until sophomore forward Kayla Ulrich scored for The Rock. Senior midfielder Hannah Simone assisted on the play. The goal was Ulrich’s fourth of the year. “I would say she is a talented player and for sure one of our top attackers that we’ve had come through SRU among many others that are also very great,” Coach Swiney said.
With close to a minute left in the first half, IUP tied the game at one with a goal by junior forward Kimberly Kelly. That was Kelly’s first goal of the year. Senior midfielder Matti Reightler assisted on the goal.
“We talked about how this rivalry between SRU and IUP is real. We needed to play to win and continue to stick to our game plan and execute, which we did,” Swiney told her team at the half.
Entering the second half, the game remained one apiece until sophomore midfielder Abby McKay broke the tie with an unassisted goal, the game’s final tally, a little more than 20 minutes into the final half. The goal was McKay’s second of the season.
IUP outshot Slippery Rock in the contest by recording 14 shots to SRU’s ten. In the first half the Crimson Hawks recorded 11 shots to The Rock’s four. Kayla Ulrich lead Slippery Rock with four shots, all of them shots on goal. Senior defenseman Liz Wolfe recorded three shots, with only one being a shot on goal. IUP had ten different plays record a shot during the contest. Both squads recorded seven shots on goal for the game.
With McKay registering a goal, SRU now has five players with multiple goals so far this season. Ulrich’s four-goal total leads the team. She has 14 goals in her career ranking her ninth all-time for Slippery Rock field hockey. She has 34 points in her career also ranking her tenth all-time in program history.
Slippery Rock is off to its second-best start in school history. Their four-win, one-loss record ties them with the 1997 team and the 1978 team for the best start to a season.
“It feels great. We’re excited for the season and what’s to come and couldn’t be happier,” Swiney said of the team’s record.
The Green and White’s record against IUP improves to 19 wins, 40 losses, and one tie. SRU has beaten them now in back-to-back years for the first time since the 1996 and 1997 seasons. IUP’s record fell to one win and four losses on the year.
The Rock’s next game takes place against the seventh-ranked West Chester University Golden Rams who hold a three-win, one-loss record. Last year The Green and White pulled out the win by a score of four to three at West Chester while the Golden Rams were ranked third in Division II. The game takes place Saturday, September 22nd at Vonnie Gros Field in West Chester, PA at 4:00 PM.
