New/Sortable Box Score  |  Traditional Box Score

MANSFIELD, Pa. – The ninth-ranked Slippery Rock University field hockey team scored two goals in the first half and hung on to edge Mansfield, 2-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action Tuesday.

First half goals by Kaitlin McGinnis and Lindsay Brown were all The Rock needed as goalkeeper Courtney Lee held off the Mountaineers making seven saves in the second half to preserve the win.

Slippery Rock wins its third straight, improving to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC-West while Mansfield falls to 3-6 overall and 0-4 in the PSAC-West.

Mansfield came out ready to play No. 9 Slippery Rock and tested Lee early. She made two saves in the first three and half minutes of the contest but it was SRU who struck first.

McGinnis tallied her fifth goal of the season in the sixth minute when she scored unassisted off a deflection on The Rock's first shot attempt.

Baylee Childress made a key defensive save for The Rock in 23rd minute to keep the game at 1-0.

Lindsay Brown would add to Slippery Rock's lead as she scored off a deflection from Mountaineer goalie Jamie Twist. That goal marked Brown's second goal in as many games and sent the game to halftime with SRU leading 2-0.

The second half proved to be all Mansfield as it posted advantages of 14-2 in shots and 15-2 in penalty corners.

Brianna Velepec notched her eighth goal of the season early in the second half, making it 2-1 in the 36th minute but that would be the game's last score.

After allowing a goal on the first shot she faced in the second half, Slippery Rock goaltender Lee proved she would not be rattled the rest of the way. She made seven of her season-high 11 saves down the stretch to earn the win.

Lee improves to 6-3 on the year while Twist falls to 1-3.

Mansfield outshot Slippery Rock 22-6 and held the advantage in penalty corners, 18-7.

Tuesday's game was a unique experience for Slippery Rock, which was forced to play on grass for the first and only time this season. Mansfield is among the only NCAA Division II schools that still plays its home games on a grass field, drastically changing the pace and style of play compared to turf.

The 6-3 start for SRU is the best for the program since 1997, when the team also opened with a 6-3 record. The best start in school history through nine games was a 7-2 mark in 1987.

SRU begins a four-game homestand Friday, Sept. 28 when it hosts No. 1 West Chester in a PSAC crossover matchup at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Game time is set for 3 p.m.