The Slippery Rock University field hockey team (3-9, 0-4 in PSAC) held its Senior Day on Saturday, hosting PSAC-leading No. 3 East Stroudsburg (12-1, 5-0.) The Green and White put up what head coach Julie Swiney thought to be her team’s best effort of the season, however, the team would fall to ESU, 2-1.
Before the game, the team’s 2019 senior class, consisting of Jordan Barnes, Brenna McGovern-Lind and Kalie Reed, were honored alongside their families.
Speaking about how important the celebration of the three girls was to her, Swiney said, “It means so much. [These three girls] have grown tremendously off the field and on the field as well. I’m so proud of them and I know they’re going to be awesome in their life after field hockey.”
“It was really special,” Barnes said. “We do give a lot to time to the program, so for that to be acknowledged was a special moment. I’m happy my team was here with me.”
Although both teams had opportunities, the scoreboard remained unchanged throughout the first quarter. The Warriors sent a shot toward Hannah Nurse within the first two minutes of the game and Rock sophomore forward Jessie Trube was stopped by ESU goalie Maddie Richie four minutes later. Nurse notched another save with two-and-a-half minutes left in the period.
The second frame was not as kind to SRU. Within four minutes, the visitors slipped two markers past Nurse. Celeste Veenstra registered seven of the Warriors’ eleven shots in the quarter, while Slippery Rock struggled to get its offense going.
Junior Maddie Murphy was subbed into the Rock’s goal for the second half, one in which she would make a half dozen saves. Three of the home team’s four shots in the third quarter were posted by Trube.
With less than six minutes remaining in regulation, a goal from the stick of Trube, assisted by a rebound from freshman forward Addy Ross, pulled the game within reach. Though, East Stroudsburg’s defense would buckle down and escape with the victory.
ESU finished with 25 shots, 17 of which were on target. Slippery Rock had eight shots, with only two going wide. Junior forward Kayla Ulrich had a shot on goal while Trube scored a goal for the second game in a row.
Throughout the entire game, the Slippery Rock sideline remained engaged and positive as its team showed its best effort so far.
“I thought the energy was great,” Swiney said. “We were able to put four quarters together where we played consistent field hockey.”
“I think, now, we have a belief,” Barnes said of the encouraging performance. “We’ve been talking about it, but the fact that we actually did it today gives those underclassmen something to hold on to and work towards.”
The team will travel to Mansfield University for a 4 p.m. tilt on Wednesday.
