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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The eighth-ranked Slippery Rock University field hockey team dropped its third straight, one-goal game, 2-1 to third-ranked Indiana (Pa.) in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division game at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

Gina Smarelli tallied her first goal of the season in the first half but The Rock couldn't hold off IUP as Anouk Sickman scored two goals in the second half to steal the victory away from SRU.

Slippery Rock falls to 6-6 overall and 3-2 in the PSAC-West while Indiana wins its seventh straight to go 11-2 overall and remain perfect in the PSAC-West at 6-0.

The first half presented opportunities on both ends as Slippery Rock and Indiana had penalty corners in the first six minutes of the game but neither team could convert.

Smarelli opened the scoring up in the 19th minute as she found the back of the cage off an assist from Allison Shade. Kelsey Gustafson took the corner to set up the score and Smarelli's goal marked her first of the season.

Shade nearly put The Rock up 2-0 with only three minutes left to play in the half but starting IUP goalkeeper, Sarah Lemieux made a save to keep the game at 1-0 going into halftime.

Indiana made some adjustments at halftime and came out in the second half creating opportunities. It had two early penalty corners but saves by SRU goalie Courtney Lee kept the Crimson Hawks off the board.

Sickman tied the game, 1-1, for IUP in the 47th minute as she scored unassisted off a deflection and added another tally 11 minutes later off a penalty corner. The two goals were her seventh and eighth on the year and IUP took a 2-1 lead with 11:18 to play in regulation.

Slippery Rock couldn't get anything going down the stretch as the Crimson Hawk defense didn't allow a shot last 14 minutes of the game.

Indiana outshot The Rock, 12-9 and held the edge in penalty corners, 7-5 in a closely contested game.

With the loss, Lee falls to 6-6 on the year while Indiana second half starting goalie, Brittany Varacallo improves to 5-0.

Slippery Rock closes out its four game homestand against Shippensburg Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Game time is set for 1 p.m. and it will be SRU's senior day.