CLARION, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team overcame an early onslaught of goals to defeat Clarion University, 3-2, Tuesday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play.
 
The win extends Slippery Rock's record to 8-4-1 overall and 8-2-1 in league games. SRU also improved its unbeaten streak to seven games, the longest by a Rock team since 2013. Clarion drops to 2-11-2 overall and 2-10-1 in the PSAC.
 
Tess Keeley led Slippery Rock with two goals. Dara Demich chipped in a goal and an assist while Haley Burkholder and Andrea Felix both added assists as well.
 
The multi-goal game was the third such of Keeley's career. Demich has now scored goals in four consecutive games to move in to a tie for the team lead in season goals with Maddy Tletski at four. The three-point day also moves Demich past Shelby Ward (2009-12) for sixth place in Rock history for in points in a career with 69 (30 goals / 9 assists).
 
Felix's assist was her team-best third of the season and 18th of her career; the seventh highest total in SRU history. Burkholder's assist was her first of 2016.
 
Slippery Rock held commanding advantages over Clarion in total shots (23-8), shots on goal (11-4) and corner kicks (3-1). Demich, Keeley and Kaitlyn Barackman accounted for six of The Rock's 11 shots on goal with two apiece. Burkholder, Julianna Esposito, Madison Johnson, Lynn Neef and Sam Thornton all produced one shot on target as well.
 
Goalkeeper Kylie Downs made two saves and allowed two goals over 90 minutes for her seventh win of the season.
 
The game got off to a disastrous start for The Rock as Marina Kelly gave the Golden Eagles a quick 2-0 lead with a pair of goals in the third minute that were just 32 seconds apart (2:07 – 2:39). The goals were the second and third fastest goals scored against SRU to start a game in school history.
 
However, Slippery Rock persevered and proceeded to pepper Clarion with six shots over the following 26 minutes before Demich finally broke through the Clarion defense to score from 25 yards out on a free kick early in the 30th minute to cut the Golden Eagles' lead down to just one goal at 2-1 heading into the break.
 
Keeley took over in the second half by first tying the game at 53:52 with a goal off of an assist from Burkholder and then giving The Rock its first lead of the night with a score off of a double assist from Demich and Felix in the 61st minute. The goal was Keeley's third of the year.
 
Slippery Rock attempted eight more shots over the remainder of regulation, but was unable to find an insurance goal. However, The Rock defense, which had gone 11 straight games without allowing an opponent to score more than one goal, returned to form to successfully defend six second-half shots by Clarion; three were blocked by Rock defenders, two were saved by Downs and the other sailed wide as Slippery Rock hung on for the comeback victory.
 
Tuesday night's comeback is tied for the second largest in school history.
 
Kelly finished with two goals and three shots on goal to pace Clarion.
 
Slippery Rock will look to continue its winning ways 12 p.m. Saturday when it plays at No. 5 West Chester University.