SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University field hockey team battled back from an early three-goal deficit, but couldn't quite complete its comeback bid in an eventual 3-2 loss to No. 4 Bloomsburg University Friday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
Friday's game was the final contest of the 2023 season for Slippery Rock, which closes the year with a 4-13 overall record and a 1-8 mark inside the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The nationally ranked Huskies now turn their sights to the PSAC Tournament after finishing the regular season at 14-4 overall and 5-4 in league games.
 
Hilary Hoffman ended her freshman season on a high note with one goal and one assist Friday. Hoffman exits her rookie campaign having totaled 10 points via four goals and two assists.
 
Gianna Conti accounted for The Rock's other goal for what was her team-best sixth score of the season. Conti, who placed both of her attempts on target against Bloomsburg, has now scored 10 goals over her first two years at SRU.
 
In addition to assisting on Hoffman's goal, Erin Roland also made a defensive save and recorded one shot in a great all-around performance.
 
Kayla Del Vecchio and Bailee Christman rounded out SRU's top offensive performers with one shot apiece.
 
Goalkeeper Grace Burker made three saves over the duration of the game, giving her an even 100 on the year. Burker is now just the third goalkeeper in program history to record multiple 100-save seasons – she also stopped 137 shots a year ago.
 
The Huskies appeared poised to run away with the game early on as Bloomsburg collected three straight goals within the first 14 minutes of regulation. However, Slippery Rock persevered and responded starting in the 20th minute via Conti's goal.
 
Alex Held started the scoring sequence by playing in a pass into Hoffman on the near side. In turn, Hoffman then sent the ball to Conti in the middle who proceeded to slide a shot between the legs of BU goalie Maura Greek for The Rock's first goal at 19:16.
 
Following her goal, Conti fired one more shot in the quarter and The Rock earned a pair of late penalty corners, but Bloomsburg was able to defend all three attacks to take a two-goal lead into halftime.
 
After five minutes of back-and-forth play to open the third quarter, Slippery Rock pulled to within one goal when Roland found Hoffman at the top of the circle, leading to the rookie firing a shot through traffic and into the back of the cage at 36:38.
 
However, The Rock's comeback bid ended there as Bloomsburg went on to control possession for the final 24 minutes of regulation and hold SRU without another attempt on the way to a tight 3-2 win.
 
Bloomsburg closed the game holding advantages over The Rock in total shots (13-6), shots on goal (7-4) and penalty corners (10-7).
 
Friday's game was the final collegiate contests in the careers of Del Vecchio, Roland, Held, Samantha Karmonick and Gabriella Delcoco. Prior to the game, the 2023 senior class was recognized for their contributions to the program over their careers in a pregame ceremony.





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