ERIE, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's lacrosse team jumped out to a 6-1 halftime lead and held off a second half rally to defeat Gannon University 11-9 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division game from McConnell Family Stadium Tuesday evening.
 
The Rock improved to 5-6 overall and 4-6 in PSAC games while completing a season sweep over the Golden Knights, who slipped to 1-9 overall and 0-8 in PSAC action. The victory also keeps Slippery Rock's playoff chances alive for the time being. The Rock will need to win their final game next Tuesday, but will still need help from Indiana and Lock Haven, which both must finish below SRU's win total in order to give the Green and White a chance to clinch a playoff spot.
 
Molly Buettner opened the scoring Tuesday night with a free-position goal less than two minutes into the game. After Gannon answered to tie it at 1-1 with 24:50 to play in the first period, Slippery Rock responded with what proved to be the biggest run of the game. The Rock closed the final 24 minutes of the half on a 5-0 push to take a 6-1 lead to the break.
 
SRU would need that five-goal cushion, as Gannon opened the second half on a 5-2 run to cut the advantage to 8-6 with 15:42 to play. Charleigh Rondeau stopped the rally briefly with a goal just 11 seconds later to make it 9-6, but Gannon responded with a 3-1 push from there to cut the SRU lead to 10-9 with 9:42 to play.
 
Slippery Rock held off the charge and never allowed the Golden Knights to find the tying goal. The Rock took advantage of two yellow cards on Gannon in the final six minutes, first scoring a man-up goal with 5:01 to play to make it 11-9 and provide some cushion, and finally using the extra player opportunity to kill the clock in the final minute.
 
Slippery Rock finished the game with advantages of 29-21 in total shots and 15-6 in draw controls, while Gannon posted a 16-15 edge in ground balls. The Rock were credited with a perfect showing in clear attempts at 10-for-10 on the day, while Gannon went 13-of-22 on the clear.
 
Jamie DiCarlo led the attack with four goals and one assist, including the final goal that gave SRU the two-goal margin. Emily Benham added a hat trick and Buettner finished with two goals. Katie Dlugosz and Rondeau each scored one goal to cap the point scorers. Rondeau also had a game-high seven draw controls, one more than the entire Gannon squad.
 
Gillian O'Rourke made eight saves in goal to earn the win.
 
Gannon picked up six points from McKenna Woodworth with five goals and one assist. Erin Renwick made 13 saves in goal.
 
Slippery Rock will now sit back and watch the results from the rest of the PSAC over the next week before playing its final regular season game at home next Tuesday against Lock Haven. The Senior Day game is set for a 4 p.m. start, with a brief ceremony recognizing the senior class to take place prior to introductions.  



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