GREENSBURG, Pa. – Freshman forward
Skye Kramer and senior midfielder
Allison Harbart each scored goals in the final 13 minutes of regulation to lead the Slippery Rock University women's soccer team to a 2-1 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference victory at Seton Hill University Tuesday afternoon.
The win clinches Slippery Rock's sixth consecutive PSAC Tournament berth and improves its record to 11-5-1 overall and 10-4-1 in league play. SRU is assured of being seeded no lower than fifth in the upcoming eight-team conference tournament and is still in the running to host a first round game.
SRU can secure a home game in the first round with a win over Kutztown University (10-4-1, 10-4 PSAC) Saturday or if Edinboro University (10-6, 9-5 PSAC) does not win its final game of the season against Mansfield University.
Kramer's goal was her fourth of the season and second in as many games for Slippery Rock, which has now won three straight. Harbart's score, which came off of a penalty kick, was her fifth of the season. She has now won two games this season for The Rock on penalty kicks.
After a scoreless first half, Seton Hill (7-9-1, 5-9-1 PSAC) broke the tie when Emma Porteous scored an open-net goal after a defensive miscue in the 61st minute. However, Slippery Rock managed to regroup and produce the game-tying goal 15 minutes later when Kramer finished a
Caitlin Binder assist in an open net to make it a 1-1 contest with 13 minutes remaining in regulation.
SRU converted the go-ahead goal early in the 88th minute when Harbart was awarded a penalty kick after the Griffins were called for a handball foul in The Rock's scoring zone. Harbart's successful penalty kick, her second such of the season, gave Slippery Rock a 2-1 lead with 2:50 to play.
Seton Hill's comeback bid came up short in the final stages of the game as a shot by Alex McIntosh sailed wide and The Rock's defense cleared another corner attempt en route to the one-goal victory.
Binder's assist was her third of the season and 14th of her career, the 14th most of any player in Rock history. Freshman goalkeeper
Charlotte Elrod stopped five shots in the win. The five saves were her second highest total of the year.
For the game, Slippery Rock held a 13-12 advantage in shots and a 4-3 edge in corner kicks. Kramer led all players with four shots on goal. Harbart and junior forward
Dara Demich added two shots on goal as well.
SRU has now won six consecutive games against the Griffins.
Slippery Rock's regular-season finale at Kutztown is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.
