SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Madison Johnson netted the game-winning score just 81 seconds in overtime to secure a 1-0 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal victory for the Slippery Rock University women's soccer team over No. 23 East Stroudsburg University Friday afternoon at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
With the win, Slippery Rock improves to 17-3-0 overall, tying the program record for wins in a single season. With the loss, East Stroudsburg falls to 14-6-0.
Just over a minute into the first overtime period, SRU was awarded a corner kick and
Georgia Nagucki was tasked with playing in an accurate pass. Nagucki did just that, sending a lined shot into the box.
A scrum ensued for possession between Slippery Rock and East Stroudsburg, with Rock forward
Rachel Edge coming away with possession. The sophomore lined a shot that was turned away by Edinboro goalkeeper Mauri Jackson and sent back into the center of the box.
Seemingly out of nowhere, SRU defender and recent PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year honoree,
Madison Johnson sent the rebound into the back of the net for the senior's first score of the season, sending Mihalik-Thompson Stadium into a frenzy and Slippery Rock to its first PSAC Championship game since the 2012 season.
The contest was a defensive battle throughout, with The Rock defense leading the way by turning away seven Warrior shots in the first half while ESU fended off two Slippery Rock shots resulting in a scoreless game at halftime.
The East Stroudsburg offense came out firing following the break, controlling possession for most of the second half but The Rock defense continued to hold steady thanks to a stellar effort by SRU goalkeeper
Emma Yoder who added three second half saves to keep the contest scoreless.
The Slippery Rock offense also had chances against the Warrior defense but a penalty kick by Nagucki was stopped and a shot by
Jordyn Minda hit the top post of the goal and caromed wide.
The shot by Minda would ultimately be the last attempt for SRU in regulation, leading to overtime and the aforementioned game-winning goal by Johsnon in the 92nd minute and a 1-0 semifinal round win for Slippery Rock.
East Stroudsburg led the way in total shots (15-7) along with shots on goal (7-4) while SRU won the corner kick battle (5-4).
ESU's Haley Skove had a game-high five total shots for the Warriors while Johnson led the Slippery Rock offense with two total shots and the game-winning score. Minda, Edge, Nagucki,
Sofia Harrison and
Brooke Riefenstahl also added one shot apiece for The Rock against East Stroudsburg.
With Edinboro University securing a 1-0 victory over West Chester University in the second semifinal match of the day, The Rock and Fighting Scots will meet in the PSAC Championship Game 1 p.m. Sunday at Mihalik Thompson Stadium.
The two teams split the season series in 2019 with each winning on its home field.
GAME NOTES
• The win over East Stroudsburg marks the first PSAC Tournament semifinal round win for Slippery Rock since the 2012 season and the first win for The Rock over East Stroudsburg in the conference tournament since 2013.
• The 1-0 victory for SRU marks only the third 1-0 game Slippery Rock has played in this season, with The Rock having a 2-1-0 record in those games.
• Slippery Rock has won two-straight postseason games for the first time since winning three-straight PSAC Tournament games and the PSAC Championship in 2012.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: ROCK 1, ESU 0 '92;
Madison Johnson (Unassisted)
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