SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team controlled possession and held a remarkable advantage in shots against Millersville University in The Rock's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference opener, but the Marauders were able to escape with a 1-0 win thanks to an early goal that proved to be the difference Friday afternoon at Egli Field.
 
The loss drops Slippery Rock's record to 1-2 on the season overall and 0-1 in league play. Millersville improved to 1-2 on the year both overall and in conference competition.
 
For the game, Slippery Rock outshot Millersville 17-4 and held a 6-0 edge in corners.
 
Junior forward Dara Demich led the way for The Rock with six shots, three of which were on target. Junior forward Andrea Felix added two shots on goal with senior midfielder Crysta Ganter and freshman forward Brooke Testa each adding one shot on goal as well.
 
Slippery Rock came out firing with Demich and sophomore defender Haley Burkholder each getting off early attempts four minutes into the first half, but Millersville was able to turn the tables when Kristin Lepley beat an outstretched Charlotte Elrod to the lower left of the goal to give the Marauders a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.
 
SRU continued to be the aggressors through the remainder of the first half with six more shots while holding Millersville to no further attempts in the period, but the Marauders were able to clear The Rock's attempts and take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
 
The Rock's best chance for the game-tying goal came early in the second half when a shot by Demich just hit the post. However, Millersville was called for a foul in the zone which led to a Demich penalty kick. However, MU goalie Samantha Wolfe guessed correctly and dove to the left to block the attempt and keep the Marauder lead intact.
 
Slippery Rock continued to pressure the Millersville defense with six more shots, but ultimately the Marauders were able to successfully defend each Rock attempt to earn the narrow victory.
 
Lepley tallied three shots for Millersville while Wolfe made six saves in the win.
 
Slippery Rock will look to regroup and pick up its first conference win when it hosts Shippensburg 1 p.m. Saturday at Egli Field.