SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's lacrosse team won its season opener for the 10th consecutive year with a 7-4 upset victory over 22nd ranked Tiffin University Friday evening at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
The 1-0 start for Slippery Rock continues a trend that dates all the way back to the opening game of the 2009 season and comes against the first of seven nationally ranked opponents SRU is slated to face in 2019, according to the latest Division II national poll. Tiffin entered the game with a 2-0 record that included an 8-5 road win at No. 23 Lock Haven last week, but was limited to a season-low four goals in the loss.
 
Due to inclement weather in the forecast next week, SRU has already postponed (makeup date yet to be announced) its game against Lake Erie that was scheduled to be played at home Tuesday. That means The Rock will now open the season with five consecutive games against nationally ranked opponents. In addition to playing No. 22 Tiffin in the opener, SRU will now visit No. 15 Florida Tech March 11, will travel to No. 3 Florida Southern March 13, will visit No. 5 West Chester for the conference opener March 16 and will host No. 23 Lock Haven March 19.
 
Slippery Rock finished Friday's game with advantages in every category, including a 27-13 edge in total shots, a 26-23 margin in ground balls and a 7-6 advantage in draw controls. The Rock went 4-of-12 on free-position attempts and 13-of-20 on clear attempts. Tiffin was limited to just two free-position goals (2-of-8) and was held to 12-of-23 on clear attempts.
 
SRU never trailed in the game after opening the scoring just 1:02 in with a Sami Gentzler goal. Tiffin tied the game with 21:19 to play in the opening half before a pair of goals from ShyAnne Toomer made it 3-1 in favor of The Rock. The Dragons capitalized on two free-position situations with a pair of goals from Elle Hamilton and got a stellar performance from goalie Kat Scheenberger, who made eight saves in the opening period to send the game to halftime tied at 3-3.
 
Slippery Rock broke the tie just over three minutes into the second half with a goal from Tori Penders and limited Tiffin to just one goal and five total shots over the final 30 minutes to pull away for the win.
 
Toomer led all players in the game with four goals and also finished with two caused turnovers, two draw controls and three ground balls. Penders, Gentzler and Hayley Pimentel all added one goal and Jordan Grey capped the point scorers with one assist. Gentzler finished with a team-high five ground balls, while Penders led the team with four draw controls and defenders Katie Dlugosz and Rachel Shaw each finished with three caused turnovers.
 
In total, The Rock defense caused 20 turnovers and picked up 26 ground balls in the game. Haley Barrett earned her first career win in goal after recording six saves, including two key free-position stops in the second half.
 
Hamilton led Tiffin with three goals, three draw controls and a game-high six ground balls. Maddy Batley scored one goal and Amie Morrison added one assist. Scheenberger finished the night with 12 total saves for the Dragons.
 
Slippery Rock will have a longer break than expected due to next week's postponed game before it travels to Melbourne, Florida March 11 to play No. 15 Florida Tech.
 
 

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