On homecoming weekend, the Slippery Rock women’s soccer took care of Clarion easily, as they controlled the game on both offense and defense. The Rock (9-2-0, 8-1-0 PSAC) didn’t allow a goal to the Golden Eagles (1-9-0, 0-9-0 PSAC) this season in their two matchups, as they outscored them 9-0.
The scoring was started in the fourth minute when Jordyn Minda snuck the ball past the keeper and the ball slowly rolled in off an assist from Miranda Gallucci. Minda wasn’t done scoring, though, as she scored her second goal of the day in the 20th minute and Rachel Edge recorded her first assist since the Rock played Mercyhurst on September 21. Edge then scored her first goal of the day seven minutes later, with an assist from Tyler Spence. Edge scored again in the 38th, with another assist coming from Spence.
Spence later scored a goal of her own in the 46th minute as Minda recorded an assist. The Rock scored the final goal of the game in the 62nd minute, with Georgia Nagucki netting her second goal of the season with an assist coming Kayla Swope. The Rock received contributions from six players in points, with Minda and Edge leading with five points each and Spence tallied four on the day.
“Obviously I’m very pleased with them, there was a lot going on today with homecoming and all these other sports playing and both people and alumni around. I was happy with how they remained focused to get the job done,” said Coach Jessica Griggs. On Saturday, the Rock had it’s busiest sports weekend of the season with almost every fall sport playing, and the women’s soccer team managed to control the game even with all that was going on.
The Rock dominated Clarion in almost all aspects of the game, leading in most categories. The Rock registered 30 shots overall and put 13 shots on target while scoring six of those shots put on goal. On defense, the Rock held Clarion without a shot until the 58th minute, the longest the Rock has held an opponent without a shot this season. Overall, Clarion was held to just three shots and only one of those shots was on target.
“I think [the defense] communicate really well and organize really well, and then when they’re called upon they can battle too, but I think they competitive maintenance defensively, rather than just having to stuck into tackles,” said Coach Griggs.
The Rock also took 11 corners while they limited the Golden Eagles to just one. In the game there were only 19 fouls with the Rock committing only 8 and Clarion committing 11. Both teams played an almost perfectly clean first half with the only foul coming in the 38th minute by the Rock.
“I think that [scoring in many different ways] has been a trend all season long, I love that we don’t have to rely on one person for goals and most of our goals have assists included, which means the team is working together,” said Coach Griggs.
The Rock had 12 different players with shots and six had two or more shots. Edge led all players with eight shots and four on target, Spence recorded five shots and put two on goal. Minda had a nearly perfect game with three shots, all on target, and two goals. Edge and Swope are tied for first in assists, not only on the team, but in the entire PSAC with six each. Edge is also third in goals with nine. Edge is also second in points with 24, while Swope is eighth with 14.
The Rock is currently first in the PSAC-West with an 8-1-0 record and although they lost to Edinboro, they have a slight edge over them as the Fighting Scots hold a 7-0-2 record. The Rock is tied with Bloomsburg and Millersville for the most points in the entire PSAC with 25. Slippery Rock also leads the PSAC in points with 89 and assists with 29. The next closest team in assists is Bloomsburg with 19.
The Rock’s win over Clarion extends their all-time series lead to 24-0-2, with a 12-0-0 record at home. Slippery Rock has outscored Clarion 75-15 all-time, and last allowed the Golden Eagles a goal in 2016. Slippery Rock hasn’t allowed them a goal at home in 11 years now. The Rock returns to play on Wednesday against Pitt-Johnstown who they defeated 4-0 earlier this year.
