Box Score

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women’s lacrosse team put a scare into No.10 Gannon by scoring 10 goals in the first half, but the Golden Knights responded in the second half to emerge with a 22-12 victory Thursday night in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division game at Thompson Stadium.

The Rock scored a season-high 10 goals in the first half and trailed by just one, 11-10, at the halftime intermission. The key to Slippery Rock sticking with the tenth-ranked Gannon squad was its stellar performance on the draw. The Rock won 18-of-22 draw controls in the first period and capitalized with scoring opportunities.

Gannon took advantage of 15 Slippery Rock fouls in the second half, including four yellow cards, to outscore The Rock 11-2 in the final period.

The Golden Knights finished the game with a 44-25 advantage in total shots after outshooting The Rock 23-5 in the second half. Slippery Rock finished the game with a definitive 27-9 advantage in draw controls.

The Rock opened the game with three straight goals in the first six minutes of play, forcing Gannon to call a timeout to regroup. Katie Roof won the opening draw and drove down field to connect with Alexis Slutsky, who scored just 20 seconds into the game.

Amy Halls scored an unassisted goal at the 26:24 mark and Samantha Eddy added the third tally at the 24:06 mark.

Gannon recovered with three straight goals to tie the game at 3-3 before The Rock took the lead again on a free position goal by Roof at the 17:52 mark.

The Golden Knights netted back-to-back goals to take their first lead of the game with 14:06 left in the first half, but Halls scored her second of the day to tie the game at 5-5 with 13:42 to play.

Gannon scored twice again to retake the lead and traded goals with The Rock until Halls scored back-to-back goals, both assisted by Roof, to tie the game at 8-8 with 9:32 left in the half.

The Golden Knights retaliated with two more goals and held onto the lead, 11-10 at the break.

Krista Schunk scored on a free position shot attempt to open the second half for Gannon, but Casey Quinn answered for The Rock to keep it a one goal game, 12-11, with 27:19 to play.

The Golden Knights gained control of the game from there, scoring nine unanswered goals to take a 21-11 lead with just over five minutes to play.

Halls scored one final Slippery Rock goal with 4:09 to play and Gannon added the final tally to seal the 22-12 win.

Halls led the offensive effort with six goals, bringing her season tally to 21. She also had three ground balls, four draw controls and three caused turnovers. Quinn scored three goals and led the team with eight draw controls. Roof finished with one goal and three assists, with Eddy and Slutsky each adding a goal.

Ashley Winkelspecht was credited with the loss after allowing 22 goals and recording nine saves.

Acacia Cook earned the win for Gannon, allowing 12 goals and finishing with 10 saves.

The Golden Knight offense was led by Taryn Millerd’s seven goals and two assists. Colleen Dixon scored five goals and added one assist, while Kayla Nelson finished with two goals and five assists.

With the loss, Slippery Rock drops to 2-6 overall and 0-4 in PSAC-West play. Gannon improves to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in league games.

The Rock will host Millersville Saturday, March 28, at Thompson Stadium with first draw set for 1 p.m. and will close a three game homestand Wednesday, April 1, with a 7 p.m. game against Indiana (Pa.).