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ALBANY, N.Y. – The second-ranked California University (Pa.) women's soccer team scored two first half goals and held on down the stretch to defeat No. 23 Slippery Rock in the third round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at the Plumeri Sports Complex.
The Rock finishes the 2011 season with an overall record of 16-5-2, the second-highest single season win total in school history. California remained unbeaten and improved to 20-0-2 on the year. The Vulcans will face No. 10 The College of Saint Rose in the NCAA quarterfinals Sunday.
Both of California's goals Friday came early in the game and neither were pure strikes.
Breanna Robinson netted the first goal in the eighth minute after her hard low shot deflected off a Rock defenders foot and kicked up over
Lisa Rodgers' head and into the net. Chelsea Norbuts and Erin Hogan were credited with a double assist.
The second goal of the game came in the 27th minute when Chaning Wimer headed in a corner kick off the foot of Kayla Fransko. The ball got behind Rodgers, but was kicked away by
Katie Kolodka. The referees ruled that the ball crossed the goal line before Kolodka's clear, making the goal stand.
Slippery Rock suffered another setback in the opening half when first team All-Region midfielder
Shelby Ward was injured and forced to leave the game with nearly 25 minutes remaining in the opening period.
The Rock flipped the field after the two goals and had multiple chances throughout the remainder of the opening half, but could not cut into the deficit.
At the break, California owned advantages of 9-5 in shots and 6-1 in corner kicks.
Slippery Rock came out firing in the second half as well, nearly missing just over the crossbar before
Kara Mullins headed a shot that found the post and bounced out, keeping SRU off the board.
California finished the game with advantages of 16-8 in total shots, 7-2 in shots on goal and 9-2 in corner kicks.
Rodgers made five saves in goal for SRU, while Paula Jackson made two saves for the Vulcans.
Slippery Rock closes one of the most storied seasons in school history. The Rock reached the NCAA third round for the first time ever and put together a streak of 11 consecutive shutouts during the year, a streak that ranks as the fifth-best in Division II history.
Slippery Rock's 16-5-2 record also marks the 16th consecutive winning season with 10 or more wins, a streak that ranks as the eight-best in Division II history.
The Rock will part with seniors Rodgers and
Alyssa Barrett, who was a four-year starter. Rodgers will assume the role of graduate assistant coach. Barrett is poised to graduate in May.
Slippery Rock will welcome back the remainder of the 2011 roster for the fall of 2012.
