WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's lacrosse team's season-opening four-game stretch against nationally ranked opponents came to a close with a 17-3 loss at No. 4 West Chester University Saturday in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference opener.
 
The Rock drop to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in PSAC games, while West Chester improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in league games. The Golden Rams only loss on the year came to No. 1 Le Moyne in overtime.
 
Saturday's game wrapped up one of the toughest opening four-game schedules of any team in the country for SRU, which played its first four games against teams ranked 22nd, 24th, third and fourth in the national rankings.
 
Slippery Rock outdrew West Chester 14-8 in the draw circle, but struggled to maintain possession with that advantage. The Rock turned the ball over 28 times and went just 9-of-18 on clear attempts. The Golden Rams on the other hand were 20-of-22 on the clear and used that possession time to outshoot SRU 28-12.
 
West Chester scored the first four goals of the game and led 9-1 at halftime.
 
Slippery Rock got one goal each from Hayley Pimentel, ShyAnne Toomer and Katie Dlugosz and one assist each from Sami Gentzler and Emily Benham to cap the scorers.
 
Toomer also tallied five draw controls, while Tori Penders added four draw controls and Rachel Shaw finished with two caused turnovers and four ground balls.
 
Haley Barrett took the loss in goal after recording one save and allowing nine goals over the opening 30 minutes. Grace Phillips played the second half and allowed eight goals while making four saves.
 
West Chester got hat tricks from Drew McKinney and Maggie Stella and a game-high six points from Tatum Altman, who scored two goals and assisted four others.
 
Slippery Rock will look to get back on the winning track when Lock Haven visits Mihalik-Thompson Stadium Tuesday for a 4 p.m. PSAC game.


 
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