SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's lacrosse team fought off a slow start and frigid temperatures to rally back for a 5-3 win over Kutztown University Friday in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action from Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
Slippery Rock registered the first 10 shots of the game and held Kutztown without a single shot attempt for more than 24 minutes of the opening period, yet the Golden Bears managed to take a 2-1 lead into the break on a day where the wind chill reached into the low 20s.
 
The Rock posted a 14-3 edge in shots in the first half, but missed the cage on seven of those shots, and Kutztown scored on both of its shots on goal to lead 2-1.
 
Slippery Rock rose to the challenge in the second half, in part thanks to goalie Emily Bitka coming up with eight saves and allowing just one more Kutztown goal. The Rock also rallied offensively with four goals, including two in the final five minutes, to seal the win.
 
The victory improves SRU to 9-1 overall and 4-1 in PSAC games and keeps The Rock in a four-way tie for second place in the league standings, a half-game back of first place Mercyhurst (5-1). Slippery Rock is the only one-loss team in the league in terms of overall records. Kutztown drops to 5-6 overall and 1-5 in PSAC games with the loss.
 
Chynna Chan tallied the game-winning goal for SRU Friday with 4:26 to play and then assisted an insurance tally from Ally Culhane with just 39 seconds to play that sealed the win. SRU's goals came from five different players with Caitlynn Palladino, Lisa Casagrande and ShyAnne Toomer all registering one goal.
 
Tia Torchia came away with team-highs of three caused turnovers, four draw controls and four ground balls. The Rock had 11 different players record at least one caused turnover in the game as SRU caused 16 of Kutztown's 22 turnovers.
 
Slippery Rock finished the game with advantages of 25-14 in shots and 22-18 in ground balls, while both teams managed five draw controls. SRU was 14-of-16 on clear attempts and held the Golden Bears to 14-of-23 on the clear.
 
Kutztown was paced by Sarah Gabriele with one goal and one assist and also got goals from Madison Carlucci and Emily Leeb. Abby Cox recorded 10 saves in goal, including six in the first half.
 
Slippery Rock will have little time to savor the win as it will host No. 11 West Chester Saturday in a crucial league game at 3 p.m. The Golden Rams are currently one of the four teams tied with SRU at 4-1 in the PSAC standings and are coming off a 21-6 win at Gannon Friday.
 


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