Traditional Box Score
 
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Dara Demich scored what appeared to be the lone goal in regulation early in the second half only to have the decision overturned when it could not be determined if the ball completely crossed the line and the Slippery Rock University women's soccer team went on to drop a close 1-0 decision to East Stroudsburg in double overtime Friday at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
 
The loss drops Slippery Rock's record to 11-4-1 on the year overall and 10-4-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play. East Stroudsburg, which was ranked third in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in the organization's latest top 25 poll, improves to 16-1 overall and 14-1 in the PSAC.
 
SRU enters its final game of the regular season Saturday against West Chester ranked fifth in the PSAC standings. It is still possible for Slippery Rock to climb as high as third in the league standings heading into next week's PSAC Tournament. To do so The Rock needs to defeat West Chester Saturday while hoping East Stroudsburg downs California (Pa.) and Mansfield beats Kutztown.
 
A Rock win combined with either an ESU or Mansfield victory would move Slippery Rock into fourth place in the league standings. The top four teams in the PSAC at the end of the regular season will host opening-round games in the PSAC Tournament.
 
In what was an evenly matched contest throughout the day, Slippery Rock traded shots with East Stroudsburg throughout the opening 45 minutes of play before heading into halftime with the game tied at 0-0, thanks in part to a pair of saves in the final minute of the opening period by goalkeeper Annabelle Hegeman.
 
Slippery Rock came out of the break quick and appeared to have jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Demich's aforementioned shot, but the officials ruled that the ESU defense had cleared the attempt before the ball completely crossed the line and the game remained 0-0.
 
The Rock were unsuccessful with its final four shots of the second half, however, Slippery Rock was able to force overtime off of a defensive effort in which The Rock denied seven East Stroudsburg shots and two corner kicks.
 
The first overtime period saw Slippery Rock's defense successfully clear three Warrior corners and block ESU's lone shot to force an additional 10 minutes of play.
 
Slippery Rock's best chance for an overtime score came early in the 104^th minute off of a shot on goal by Tess Keeley that was stopped by ESU goalkeeper Jules Harris. The Warriors were able to shift momentum and less than two minutes later Sammi Joe Hughes crossed a pass into Shea Neal, who proceeded to head the ball past Rock goalie Shannon Mahoney from six yards out to give East Stroudsburg the 1-0 win.
 
Keeley tallied three shots on goal in the loss for Slippery Rock. Demich, Caitlin Binder, Allison Harbart and Nicole Krueger all recorded shots on goal as well for The Rock.
 
Hegeman started the game for SRU and stopped three shots in 45 minutes of play before being subbed for Mahoney, who saved one shot in 60 minutes of action.
 
Friday's game was Slippery Rock's fourth double overtime contest of the year and its second in as many games.
 
East Stroudsburg led Slippery Rock in total shots, 17-10, but Slippery Rock held a 7-5 lead in shots on goal. The Warriors also edged The Rock 6-3 in corner kicks awarded.
 
Hughes took three shots in addition to her assist on Neal's game-winning goal. Harris saved six shots to earn the victory.
 
Slippery Rock will have less than 24 hours of recovery time before it faces West Chester on Saturday at 12 p.m.