SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's lacrosse team scored two goals in the final five minutes of regulation to force overtime, but couldn't pull off the upset as No. 8 Mercyhurst University scored with 3:35 to play in the first extra session to earn a 10-9 victory in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action Wednesday night from Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
The loss is tough to swallow on two fronts for The Rock (8-7, 4-6 PSAC). The first being that they were leading for most of the game and held a 7-4 advantage with 15:29 to play and the second being that this loss is the third one-goal loss to a nationally ranked PSAC team this season. SRU also lost by one-goal to Lock Haven and Indiana (Pa.) and six of the team's seven losses have come to teams currently ranked in the top 19 in the Division II national rankings.
 
The Rock dominated possession for the opening period and posted a 17-8 advantage in shots to lead 4-2 at halftime. Mercyhurst (14-2, 10-1 PSAC) keeper Gabby Gravino made seven saves in the period to keep her team close.
 
Slippery Rock maintained its lead until just past the midway mark of the second half, but couldn't slow down a Laker push that saw the visitors score five unanswered gols to take a 9-7 lead with 6:31 to play.
 
The second half momentum swing was keyed by Kristin Anderson, who dominated the draw circle with a massive height and size advantage. She was nearly unstoppable in the draw circle as Mercyhurst posted an 11-2 edge in draw controls in the final 30 minutes of regulation. She also tallied three second half goals.
 
Despite not having success on the draw, Slippery Rock played a relatively clean half with just six turnovers and Mercyhurst turned the ball over 12 times, including two crucial turnovers late. The Rock were able to capitalize on a failed clear when Tia Torchia scored to make it 9-8 with 4:59 to play and then tied the game at 9-9 with 2:39 left when Chynna Chan scored into an empty net from long range.
 
On Chan's game-tying goal, Gravino was called for a foul outside of her goal crease as she tried to clear the ball. That foul meant Gravino started the play behind Chan, which allowed for an easy empty-netter.
 
Both teams had possessions in the final 2:39 of regulation, including a possession that lasted more than 90 seconds for Slippery Rock, but neither team could get a look at net.
 
The Rock won the opening draw control of the overtime period, but never got a shot off and turned the ball over. Mercyhurst capitalized and scored the game-winner when Carly Zimmerman found the back of the net for the 38th time this season 2:25 into the overtime.
 
Slippery Rock finished the game with advantages of 28-24 in shots and 20-17 in ground balls. The Rock were 15-of-17 on clear attempts and finished with 11 turnovers. Mercyhurst posted a 14-7 edge in draw controls, was 13-of-18 on the clear and finished with 18 turnovers. The Lakers were also called for more than double the fouls as SRU at 38-17.
 
Erin Wilcox paced Slippery Rock with four goals to mark her 10th game this season with at least a hat trick. She has scored multiple goals in 14-of-15 games and is the only player to record a goal in all 15 games this season.
 
Chan's goal pushed her current goal-scoring streak out to 10 games. Torchia finished with two goals and a team-high three draw controls. Jasey Sanders and Kaytlin Callaghan each added one goal to cap the scorers for SRU. Callaghan's goal brings her to 123 career markers and ties her with Paige Costantino for the fifth most in program history, 11 shy of Wilcox's 134 in fourth place.
 
Jordan Wagner was solid in net for SRU and finished the game with nine saves, including five in the second half.
 
Anderson paced Mercyhurst off the bench with three goals and her presence in the draw circle. She was returning to action after not playing the last three games. Emily Gebhardt scored one goal and handed out three assists for a team-high four points. Gravino finished the game with 12 saves.
 
Wednesday night's loss also hurts the playoff chances for Slippery Rock. Millersville upset Lock Haven earlier in the evening to move into sole possession of the final playoff spot in the league at 6-5. The Marauders have one game to play and will be favored over Gannon. Seton Hill is seventh at 5-5 with two games to play, including a game against SRU. The Griffins control their own destiny, as two wins would guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. Slippery Rock's only chance to make the playoffs now is to win its final two games and hope Gannon beats Millersville Saturday.
 
The Rock will get their first chance at holding up their end of that scenario when Shippensburg (4-10, 1-9 PSAC) visits Mihalik-Thompson Stadium Saturday for a 1 p.m. Senior Day game, in which the seven SRU seniors will be honored pregame.