SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -  The Slippery Rock University field hockey team had its two-game winning streak snapped in a 5-1 loss to Indiana University (Pa.) Sunday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
The non-conference loss drops Slippery Rock's record to 3-3 overall while the Crimson Hawks remain undefeated at 4-0 in 2021.
 
Slippery Rock was led by Erin Roland, who scored her second goal of the year courtesy of a Samantha Karmonick assist. Karmonick's assist marked the first point of her collegiate career.
 
Roland and Leslie Colliver concluded the contest with two shots on goal apiece for The Rock with Jordyn Isner and Jessie Trube also adding one attempt on target each.
 
Goalkeeper Grace Burker made a career-high eight saves while playing all 60 minutes.
 
IUP's Blaise Cugini proved to be the difference in Sunday's game as the junior forward scored four of the Crimson Hawks' five goals.
 
Slippery Rock trailed by two goals to open the second half after Cugini scored twice in the first half before Roland cut into The Rock's deficit when she received a perfect entry pass by Karmonick and proceeded to fire a shot from the top of the circle past IUP goalkeeper Amanda Zaner at 43:29.
 
However, The Rock's comeback bid was quickly halted as Cugini went on to score two more goals over the next six minutes to give IUP a 4-1 lead. Georgiana Chiavacci added an insurance goal late in the fourth quarter en route to Indiana's four-goal victory.
 
For the game, Indiana held advantages over The Rock in total shots (15-11) and shots on goal (13-6). SRU recorded a 9-5 edge in penalty corners.
 
Sunday was International Students Day at SRU. As part of the celebration, Mo Kanani, a native of Palestine and member of the Slippery Rock men's soccer team, took part in a ceremonial pass back prior to the start of the game.
 
Slippery Rock will look to return to its winning ways when it opens the PSAC portion of its 2021 schedule against No. 2 West Chester University 12 p.m. Sept. 25 at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium on Mental Health Awareness Day.
 
 
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