New/Sortable Box Score  |  Traditional Box Score

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The ninth-ranked Slippery Rock University field hockey team dropped its second consecutive, heartbreaking home game this weekend, falling, 3-2 in overtime to Kutztown Saturday afternoon at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

SRU's Gabrielle Malishchak scored a goal with four minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game, 2-2 to send it to overtime. In the overtime period, Kutztown reserve goalie Kayla Denlinger made four crucial saves including a sprawling, breakaway save on The Rock's Lindsay Brown to keep the Golden Bears alive.

Brown's chance proved to be Slippery Rock's last as Kutztown came down and scored on a penalty corner chance, Anna Behm put home the game-winner off an assist from Imani Ferguson.

Slippery Rock falls to 6-5 overall and is still 3-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division while Kutztown improves to 4-7 and 1-3 in the PSAC-East.

The Golden Bears jumped out to an early lead and put the pressure on The Rock. Jenna Gregory found the back of the cage on an assist from Behm just three minutes into the game. Kutztown would add to their lead as Behm scored in the 12th minute to make it 2-0.

Slippery Rock would answer four minutes later on a penalty corner from Kelsey Gustafson. Ally Banks received the corner from Gustafson and shot a laser from the near side and starting KU goalie Karly Waltman had no chance.

Kutztown had three consecutive penalty corners in the 23rd minute but couldn't' capitalize, sending the game to halftime with the score 2-1.

The second half saw both teams creating opportunities. Slippery Rock goalie Courtney Lee made six of her nine saves in the second half and KU second half starter Denlinger made four of her eight in the period as well.

Malishchak made a key defensive save in the 61st minute to keep the game at 2-1 and then scored the game tying goal with four minutes remaining in regulation.

Kutztown had chances late to end the game in regulation as was awarded four penalty corners in the last minute and a half, including two after time had expired. Lee made three saves during that stretch to force the overtime.

In the overtime period, Malishchak, Banks, Kaitlin McGinnis and Brown all had shots on goal before Behm's game-winner but were denied by Denlinger.

Kutztown outshot Slippery Rock 15-12 in the contest and held the penalty corner advantage 9-7.

Lee falls to 6-5 after this weekend while Denlinger earns her first win of the season after coming in to start the second half.

Slippery Rock is back in action Wednesday, Oct. 3 when it hosts PSAC-West rival Indiana University (Pa.) at 4 p.m. at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.