ERIE, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team was edged, 1-0, on the road Wednesday by Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division rival Mercyhurst University.
 
The loss moves The Rock's record to 9-3-2 overall and 8-3-1 in the division while the Lakers improve to 8-4-1 on the year and 7-3-1 in the PSAC West.
 
Mercyhurst scored what would be the game-winning goal in the 33rd minute when Emily Mijares received a nicely placed through ball and beat two Slippery Rock defenders before laying a shot right past the outreached arms of goalkeeper Emma Yoder to give the Lakers a 1-0 advantage they would never relinquish.
 
Slippery Rock's best look at an equalizer came in minute 54 when a free kick attempt by Georgia Nagucki would prompt a Rachel Edge shot that was punched back into play by goalkeeper Maddie Elbro followed by back-to-back shots from Brooke Riefenstahl, with the first attempt being blocked and second hitting off the crossbar.
 
Mercyhurst seemed poised to take a two-goal advantage in the 87th minute, but Yoder successfully saved a penalty kick by Mijares, to keep SRU within striking distance.
 
However, Slippery Rock was unable to pull off the late comeback as it was held to just one shot following Yoder's save, an attempt by Sydney Patrick the missed right, as the lakers escaped with the narrow victory.
 
The Rock offense was led by Edge with five total shots and one on goal, followed by Kayla Swope with three shots and two on goal as well as Riefenstahl and Julia Mascaro with two shots each and rounded out by Patrick with a shot of her own.
 
Through 90 minutes, Yoder made five saves.
 
For the game, Slippery Rock held the advantage in overall shots (13-8) as well as corner kicks (4-2) while the Lakers topped The Rock in shots on goal (6-3).
 
SRU continues its playoff push when it hosts PSAC West match against Indiana University (Pa.) for its senior day 12 p.m. Saturday at James Egli Field.


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