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ALBANY, N.Y. – The 12th-ranked Slippery Rock University women's soccer team made history Friday evening by punching its ticket to the NCAA Division II National Championship quarterfinals for the first time with a 3-0 shutout over No. 6 California (Pa.) at the Plumeri Sports Complex in the NCAA third round.

The Rock is one of only eight teams remaining in the NCAA Division II Tournament and will play No. 13 American International College Sunday at 1 p.m. in Albany with a trip to the NCAA Final Four on the line.

American International (17-2-2) defeated host and fourth-ranked College of Saint Rose 2-0 Friday afternoon, handing the Golden Knights their first and only loss of the season.

Slippery Rock improves to 15-3-2 overall with the win and completes a bookending season sweep of the Vulcans, who end their year with an 18-3-2 overall record. Slippery Rock has now won four consecutive games over California and has eliminated the Vulcans from the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two years.

The offensive output from Slippery Rock was the highest goals allowed for California all season. The Vulcans entered the game with a 19-game unbeaten streak in which they had allowed only four goals in that entire stretch.

Slippery Rock got sensational midfield play that led to outstanding defensive play and then capitalized with clutch scoring late in the game to earn the win.

Caitlin Binder was exceptional in the air in the midfield and helped to lead a defensive effort that shutout one of the highest scoring offenses in Division II. Behind her, Lauren Impey led the back four to another shutout effort along with Izabel Scott, Lynn Neef and Marissa Scullin, a group that allowed only three shots on goal.

Dana O'Neill earned her 29th career shutout between the posts for Slippery Rock, snaring two easy shots, making one great save and consistently clearing the ball on set pieces. O'Neill moved up to 16th in Division II history in total shutouts and second among active players.

Dara Demich stepped up in the absence of leading scorer Andrea Felix and netted the game-winning and second goals, her 10th and 11th on the year, and Impey netted the dagger with a free kick goal with less than six minutes to play.

California finished the game with advantages of 13-9 in total shots and 4-2 in corner kicks, but many of those shots were widely off target. The Rock posted a 7-3 edge in shots on goal.

Neither team could break through in the first half and each managed just one shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes.

The break came in the 69th minute when Demich chased down a long pass near the edge of the box and a California defender collided with goalkeeper Meghan Jayes, taking her out of the play. Demich walked in, literally, and tapped the ball across the goal line to put Slippery Rock up 1-0.

Demich benefited from another miscue by Jayes in the 84th minute. She took a chance and hit a hard low shot that looked like it would be saved, but the ball slipped through Jayes' arms and into the net to make it 2-0.

Impey ended all doubt in the 85th minute when she wrapped a perfect free kick around the wall and into the right side of the net to make it 3-0. The free kick was set up after Sam Thornton was pulled down just outside the 18-yard box on a breakaway attempt.

Jayes finished with three goals allowed and four saves.

Friday's game marked the third consecutive appearance in the Round of 16 for Slippery Rock and is the first win for the program this deep in the NCAA Tournament.

Sunday's quarterfinal game features two programs that have little knowledge of each other outside of watching today's games. American International, which plays in the Northeast-10 Conference, and Slippery Rock have never met in women's soccer.

A complete preview of Sunday's quarterfinal, along with coverage options, will be posted to www.RockAthletics.com Saturday afternoon.