New/Sortable Box Score  I  Traditional Box Score (HTML)

ERIE, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University field hockey team (6-11, 2-7) could not overcome a slow start and fell 4-1 at Mercyhurst (8-7, 4-4) in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action Friday afternoon.

A blast from Mercyhurst's Meghan Smith found the back of the cage to give the Lakers an early 1-0 advantage in the 11th minute.

Michelle Couch answered in the 18th minute for The Rock, deflecting a pass from Renee Rosenblum through traffic and past the Laker's keeper to tie the game at 1-1.

Mercyhurst responded with a goal from Kelsey Violanti in the 21st minute to take a 2-1 lead. The Lakers wasted little time as Marissa Faso tacked on a penalty stroke goal less than a minute later, giving Mercyhurst a 3-1 lead into the break.

Defensive saves from Baylee Childress and Kelsey Gustafson kept Slippery Rock in the game, but Kelsey Lovelace connected on a feed from Violanti in the 50th minute to push Mercyhurst's lead to 4-1 and out of reach.

The Rock finished the match with deficits of 9-1 in shots on goal and 9-3 in penalty corners.

Carlee DuMars received the loss after allowing four goals, dropping to 4-7 on the season.

Jess Wess picked up the win for the Lakers to improve to 8-7 on the season, allowing one goal on The Rock's lone shot on goal.

Slippery Rock returns home Saturday, Nov. 2 in its final match of the season against No. 5 West Chester. Game time is set for 5 p.m. in Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.