Boxscore

ERIE, Pa. -- Hosting Mercyhurst handed The Rock a 5-2 loss Tuesday afternoon in quarterfinal action of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoffs.

With the loss came the end of a string of five straight appearances by SRU in a conference semifinal match, and possibly the dropping of the curtain on the 2008 season.

The Rock, which saw its season record drop to 13-6-1, must now await word next Monday on its bid for a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

SRU was ranked seventh in last week's regional poll; the top six teams in the final regular-season poll next Monday will advance to regional competition.

Mercyhurst scored three goals in the span of nine minutes early in the first period and added a fourth goal in the fifth minute of second-half action Tuesday to take control of the proceedings. 

The Rock got back-to-back unassisted goals from senior forward Shelly Regner (pictured above) and freshman Shelby Layman in the 61st and 66th minute, respectively, to trim the margin to 4-2 before the hosts scored an insurance goal in the 76th minute.

Sarah Powell, the leading scorer in the conference, scored two goals and had an assist to lead the winning attack.

The Lakers outshot The Rock by a 24-12 margin and had an 11-5 advantage in shots on goal.

It should be noted that The Rock played without leading scorer Alison Hindley, the No. 2 scorer in the conference with 14 goals this fall. Hindley sustained a broken ankle in last Saturday's regular-season finale vs. California (Pa.).

Rock senior goalie Sarah Lacy recorded two saves and allowed four goals in the first 55 minutes of action before she was replaced by junior Lauren McManus, who turned aside four shots on goal and allowed one tally.

Mercyhurst (11-4-4) will host West Chester in a semifinal game Friday. The conference championship game Saturday will also be played at Mercyhurst.