Box Score

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Fourth-ranked Mercyhurst College used a strong second half rally to pull away to a 23-10 win over Slippery Rock Wednesday in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division women’s lacrosse game played at Thompson Stadium.

The Rock trailed 7-5 at halftime and scored the first two goals of the second half to tie the game at 7-7 with 27:20 to play. The Lakers scored at the 25:27 mark to break the tie and closed the game with a 16-3 rally to seal the 23-10 win.

Draw controls in the second half proved to be the deciding factor in the game, as Mercyhurst controlled 17-of-22 draws to spark its scoring rally.

Amy Halls led The Rock with four goals on five shots, while also recording one draw control, one caused turnover and picking up one ground ball. Casey Quinn scored three goals, with Sam Huebner adding two and picking up a team-high six ground balls. Alexis Slutsky scored the final Slippery Rock goal.

Ashley Winkelspecht was credited with the loss after allowing 19 goals and recording 14 saves, including 12 in the first half. Danielle Gonzales made her second collegiate appearance and allowed the final four goals while recording two saves.

Mercyhurst was led by a six-goal effort from Kristie Jennings, who also added two assists. Kimberly Masterson scored five goals and Breanna Haggerty added four.

Jessica Raniero made her first start of the season in goal, earning the victory after allowing 10 goals and registering eight saves in a complete game performance.

The Lakers held advantages of 51-23 in total shots, 39-18 in shots on goal, 26-25 in ground balls and 24-11 in draw controls. After starting the game 1-of-4 on clear attempts, Mercyhurst closed the game 10-of-11 to finish 11-of-15 for the game. The Rock was successful on 13-of-20 clear attempts.

With the loss, Slippery Rock drops to 3-9 overall and 0-6 in the PSAC-West. Mercyhurst stays out in front of the league with an overall record of 10-1 and a conference mark of 5-1.

The Rock will travel to Seton Hill tomorrow, April 9, for a non-conference match. First draw is scheduled for 4 p.m.  Slippery Rock will return home next Tuesday, April 14, for a 7 p.m. rematch with Notre Dame College (Ohio). Notre Dame won the season-opener 11-6 in Hilton Head, S.C. March 3.


Notes: Halls now has 39 goals this season and ranks fifth on the SRU single-season scoring ledger. She needs one to move into a tie for fourth (40), three to move into a tie for third (42), six to move into a tie for second (45) and eight to tie the record of 47, set by April Ennis in 1990.