SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's lacrosse team saw a 5-1 halftime lead slip away in the second half as No. 21 East Stroudsburg University rallied back for a 9-7 victory Saturday in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action from Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
The Warriors (5-2, 4-1 PSAC) trailed 4-0 less than 12 minutes into the game before making a goalie change that drastically shifted the momentum for the defending PSAC champions. Michelle Dyck started the game and made no saves before giving way to Tatyana Petteway after just 13:18. Petteway was dominant, stopping nine shots and allowing just three goals in the final 46:42.
 
Slippery Rock led for more than 50 minutes in the game and took a 7-4 lead with 10:30 to play after Tori Penders scored off an assist from Jasey Sanders, but it was all East Stroudsburg from there. The Warriors closed the final nine minutes with a 5-0 run, tying the game at 7-7 with 4:53 to play, taking their first lead with 4:27 to play and adding an insurance tally with 2:16 left that sealed the win.
 
The Rock (5-3, 1-3 PSAC) led 5-1 at halftime but struggled to maintain possession in the second half, turning the ball over 19 times and going just 4-of-15 in clear attempts over the final 30 minutes. Those 11 failed clears in the second half joined eight more from the first half for one of the biggest deciding factors of the game as SRU finished the day just 17-of-36 in clear attempts and ended with 36 total turnovers.
 
East Stroudsburg posted advantages of 26-19 in shots, 12-6 in draw controls and 36-35 in ground balls. The Warriors were able to overcome turning the ball over 36 times, going 0-for-9 in free position attempts and going 16-of-23 in clear attempts. SRU went 2-of-5 in free position attempts and posted a +10 margin in fouls against (33-23).
 
Emily Bitka was exceptional in goal in the opening period for Slippery Rock, allowing just one goal and recording eight saves. She added three saves in the second half to finish the game with 11 saves, six caused turnovers and 14 ground balls.
 
All seven Slippery Rock goals were scored by different players. Sanders and Kelly Muenster paced the attack with one goal and two assists each. Penders, Bre Vodde, Tia Torchia, Danie Porath and Erin Brown all scored one goal.
 
East Stroudsburg was led by Emma Rufolo and Brooke Fritz with two goals and one assist each. Hana Cicerelle and Kritsa Mitarotonda each added two goals and Petteway earned the win in goal after recording nine saves, including six in the second half.
 
Saturday's game marked the fourth straight for SRU against a nationally ranked PSAC opponent with The Rock going 1-3 in those games. Slippery Rock will look to get back in the win column when unranked Seton Hill visits Mihalik-Thompson Stadium Tuesday for a 2 p.m. game.
 
 

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