Oct. 17, 2005

Final Stats

Slippery Rock, Pa. - Fourth-ranked West Chester scored a goal on a loose ball following a diving save by Rock goalie Jen McCormick to nip SRU, 1-0, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference "crossover" action Monday afternoon on James W. Egli Soccer Field.

The game, which featured two of the top five teams in the latest NCAA Division II Northeast Regional ranking, lived up to its billing.

On the strength of the goal by All-America candidate Julie Karcher in the 64th minute of action, West Chester -- the No.1 -ranked team in last week's regional poll -- improved its season record to 15-0-2 and extended its current unbeaten streak to 18 games.

West Chester was ranked fourth in last week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America national poll. The NCAA does not conduct a national poll.

Monday's loss dropped the The Rock, which was ranked fifth in the region last week by the NCAA, to 8-5-2 overall.

McCormick had a stellar game in goal as she recorded 14 saves and pretty much weathered a 24-shot WCU attack.

The Rock fired six shots on goal at Golden Ram goalie Hilary Smart, who recorded four saves.

SRU, which has already assured itself of a third successive berth in the PSAC playoffs, will look to lock up home-field advantage for at least the first round of postseason play when it hosts California U. of Pa. at 3 p.m. on Saturday on Egli Field.

The Rock is currently in second place in the PSAC-West behind Indiana and ahead of Edinboro.

SRU will host Edinboro in the regular-season finale on Oct. 29 on Egli Field.