SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team fell 1-0 in non-conference competition to No. 22 West Virginia Wesleyan College Saturday afternoon at James Egli Field.
 
West Virginia Wesleyan (1-0) converted a goal 1:34 into the game when Laura Hull finished off a corner attempt for what proved to be the game-deciding goal.
 
After a slow start in the first half, Slippery Rock (0-2) regrouped to come out of the halftime break and control possession for the majority of the final 45 minutes of play. However, all four of Slippery Rock's second-half shot attempts were stopped or off target as West Virginia Wesleyan (1-0) managed to survive for the 1-0 victory.
 
For the game, Slippery Rock held a 7-2 edge in corner kicks while the Bobcats edged The Rock in total shots (10-7) and shots on goal (5-3).
 
Haley Burkholder led The Rock's efforts Saturday with a pair of shot attempts. Dara Demich, Skye Kramer, Brooke Testa, Tess Keeley and Tyler Spence all recorded shots as well.
 
Kylie Downs made her first collegiate start in goal for The Rock, stopping four shots in 90 minutes of action.
 
SRU's best chance for a game-tying goal came between the 75th and 78th minutes when it registered three corner kicks and Kramer, Spence and Testa all had shot attempts, but Wesleyan goalkeeper Chelsea Hubner stopped the shots by Kramer and Spence and Testa's bid sailed wide. After the barrage, the Bobcats were able to run out the clock for the win.
 
West Virginia Wesleyan entered the game ranked No. 22 in the National Soccer Coaches Association top-25.
 
Slippery Rock begins Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play as well as a season-long four-match road trip Sept. 9 at Millersville University. Following the Millersville match, Slippery Rock will play at Shippensburg (Sept. 10), at California (Pa.) (Sept. 13) and at Indiana (Pa.) (Sept. 17) before returning home to host Mercyhurst on Sept. 20.