New/Sortable Box Score SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team earned its fifth consecutive shutout in a 0-0 draw against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division leader Mercyhurst University Saturday at James Egli Field.
 
With the tie, SRU's record moves to 4-2-7 overall and 3-2-6 in the conference while Mercyhurst improves to 7-2-4 overall and 6-1-4 in the PSAC West. Saturday's shutout extends The Rock's shutout streak to five, matching the second best in program history.
 
The tie allows Slippery Rock to gain sole possession of fourth place in the division with 15 points and five conference contests left in the season. The top four teams from the PSAC West and East at the end of the regular season earn a bid into the conference tournament.
 
Veteran goalkeeper Emma Yoder was key in preserving the shutout as she made five saves through 90 minutes of play.
 
Leading The Rock's offense was Sydney Patrick who placed one of her three shots on target. Following were Faith Diffenbacher and Kayla Swope each with a shot on goal. Rounding out SRU's shot takers were Maddie DeLucio (2), Julia Mascaro (1), Morgan Sarver (2) and Ashley Rea (3).
 
The Laker offense wasted no time testing the Slippery Rock backline as they fired three shots in the opening 18 minutes, two of which were blocked and the third sent to the hands of Yoder.
 
SRU promptly returned the favor with four shots of its own over the remaining 24 minutes of the first half, while The Rock defense held Mercyhurst to just one additional shot. Neither team's offense was able to convert, sending the contest into halftime tied 0-0.
 
Entering the final 45 minutes, Slippery Rock was the aggressor receiving its first solid chance at the game's first goal 10 minutes in when Sarver and Patrick fired back-to-back shots that were blocked at the last second by Laker defenders.
 
Continuing the intense attack, SRU earned six corners and scattered six shots, three of which put MU goalkeeper Maddie Elbro to work, over the remainder of the contest but found no luck.
 
While The Rock attack was in heavy pursuit, Yoder and the SRU defense held Mercyhurst to just four second half shots, two saved by Yoder, en route to a 0-0 draw at the final buzzer.
 
For the game, Slippery Rock held advantages in total shots (13-8), and corners (13-4) while Mercyhurst led in shots on goal (5-3).
 
Slippery Rock travels to Indiana University (Pa.) for a PSAC West matchup against the Crimson Hawks 4 p.m. Oct. 12. Earlier in the season, SRU and IUP played to a 2-2 tie at James Egli Field.









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