SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team tied Indiana University (Pa.), 2-2, Wednesday in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division match at James Egli Field.
With the tie, The Rock's record moves to 1-1-3 overall and 0-1-2 in the conference while IUP's record becomes 0-0-3 overall as well as in the division.
SRU's offense was paced by
Kayla Swope who registered one goal and one assist as well as
Brooke Riefenstahl with one goal. Rounding out The Rock's offensive attack was
Julia Mascaro and
Sydney Patrick with one assist each.
Slippery Rock goalkeeper
Emma Yoder tallied four saves over 90 minutes.
The Crimson Hawks got off to an accelerated start when Aislin Meaney sent a pass to Hannah Scardina who netted IUP's first score just 1:13 into the first half, taking an early one goal lead.
The lead did not last long as SRU answered in fine fashion with a goal of its own less than three minutes later. Swope sent a shot towards the net that was blocked by the Indiana defense, before Riefenstahl collected the deflection and laid it in for her first goal of the year.
The Rock and Crimson Hawk offenses continued in persistent attack, forcing Yoder and IUP goalkeeper Samantha Gildner to make two saves apiece and prompting each defense to produce numerous blocks. Despite the offensive push, that included both squads receiving four corner kick attempts each, neither team would take the advantage as the game went into halftime tied 1-1.
Coming out of the break, Slippery Rock returned to its scoring ways by beautifully moving the ball from Mascaro to Patrick was played to the feet of Swope, who netted her first goal of the season giving SRU a 2-1 advantage less than five minutes into the second half.
Seemingly in control, The Rock offense continued their pursuit outshooting IUP 7-0 over the next 30 minutes. In Indiana's first solid offensive push of the second half, Meaney was dished a pass from Samantha Nemeth that she was able to loft right out of the reach of Yoder to even the score once more.
The IUP offense tested Yoder over the final 10 minutes, forcing her to make two excellent saves as well as The Rock defense making a key save on a deflected shot. However, neither team was able to collect the game-winning goal, ending the match in a 2-2 tie.
For the game, Slippery Rock held advantages over IUP in total shots (16-10) and corner kicks (13-5) while both teams were even in shots on goal (7-7).
Slippery Rock travels to Erie, Pennsylvania for a PSAC West match against Mercyhurst University 3 p.m. Saturday.
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