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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The 10th ranked Slippery Rock University field hockey team scored three goals in the second half to complete a 3-2 comeback win over Mercyhurst Wednesday in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
Allison Shade found the back of the cage for the game-winning goal off an assist from Gina Smarelli with only 2:08 remaining in the second half.
Ally Banks scored Slippery Rock's first two goals to put them in the lead but a Mercyhurst goal by Blair Pembleton knotted the game at 2-2 before Shade's game winner.
No. 10 Slippery Rock moves to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the PSAC-West while Mercyhurst falls to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the PSAC-West.
The Rock finished the game with advantages 27-9 in total shots, 21-6 in shots on goal and 22-8 in penalty corners.
Early in the first half, The Rock had the edge as they created opportunities and penalty corners but couldn't capitalize. Goalie Jess Wess made 10 saves in the half to keep the Lakers in it.
Slippery Rock outshot Mercyhurst 13-4 in the half but it was a late chance by the Lakers that gave them the lead. SRU committed a penalty off a Mercyhurst shot and the Lakers were awarded a penalty shot. Marissa Faso scored on the chance and Mercyhurst went up 1-0 going into halftime.
The second half was back-and-forth as both teams had chances to score. Banks scored The Rock's first goal to tie it in the 41st minute from an assist from Smarelli and then put home the go ahead goal in the 57th minute.
Mercyhurst wasted no time as they scored to tie the game 2-2 just a minute later. Slippery Rock's
Gabrielle Malishchak made a defensive save on an initial shot attept but Mercyhurst's Pembleton scored on the rebound.
Smarelli's assist to Shade capped off the scoring with 2:08 remaining in the game and Slippery Rock held off the Lakers in the final two minutes to secure the win.
Courtney Lee recorded three saves to earn the win and is now 4-3 on the year while Wess made 17 saves for the Lakers and is 1-4.
Leading Slippery Rock's offensive attack was Banks with seven shots on goal followed by Shade with three and Malishchak with three as well.
SRU travels to Seton Hill Saturday, Sept. 22 for another PSAC-West matchup. Game time is set 4 p.m.