Box Score (HTML)

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University field hockey team earned a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoff berth despite falling 2-1 at No. 1 West Chester Saturday afternoon from Vonnie Gros Field.
 
With the loss, Slippery Rock finishes the regular season at 9-9 overall and 7-7 in PSAC action. The Rock ended up in a three-way tie with Mercyhurst and Kutztown for fifth-place in the conference standings, but the Lakers earned the three-way tiebreaker for the fifth-seed. The Rock receive the sixth and final playoff spot after defeating Kutztown head-to-head earlier this fall.
 
Meanwhile, the first-ranked Golden Rams improved to 16-2 overall and 13-1 in league play with the victory.
 
West Chester struck first after drawing a penalty shot early in the match. Dayle Paustian buried the shot past The Rock goalkeeper to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute of action.
 
Despite being outshot 8-1 in the first half, the stingy Slippery Rock defense held strong to remain within one heading to the break.
 
The Golden Rams pushed the lead to 2-0 in the 45th minute on a goal from Alexis Versak, who deflected a hard pass from Kristina Sherrer into the back of the cage.
 
Slippery Rock cranked up the offense late as Baylee Childress connected with Kylie McCarty for a slick goal off a penalty corner to draw The Rock within one in the 67th minute, but fell just short as the clock hit zeros.
 
Carlee DuMars was tagged with the loss to drop to 9-9 on the season. DuMars allowed two goals and made six saves to keep The Rock within striking distance.
 
McCarty notched her third goal of the season and her second in as many games, while Childress tallied an assist. Megan McKay and Michelle Couch each registered a shot on goal in the loss. 
 
West Chester finished the match with advantages in total shots (15-4), shots on goal (8-3) and penalty corners (14-3).
 
The Rock will travel to No. 3 Shippensburg for their first-round PSAC playoff matchup Tuesday, Oct. 11.