FAIRMONT, W. Va. — The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team lost on the road at Fairmont State University, 1-0, Sunday in non-conference competition.

Sunday's result moves Slippery Rock's record to 1-1-0 while Fairmont State, which dropped its season opener to Seton Hill University on Thursday, improves to 1-1-0.

Carrying in her momentum from Thursday night's stellar performance against Davis & Elkins College in which she scored one goal and matched a single-game program record with four assists, Morgan Sarver once again led the way on the attack for The Rock with six shots against Fairmont State, three of which were on goal.

Accompanying Sarver on the offensive attack with one shot on goal apiece for The Rock was the contingent of Jaime Dermotta, Libby Zacharyasz, Sydney Patrick, Olivia Yoder, Sophia Palermo, Bailey McGee and Lindsey Price.

The Rock was seldom challenged defensively. Leah Allman made three saves of Fairmont State's four shots toward her, all coming in the first half.

SRU finished the game holding advantages over the Falcons in total shots (15-4), shots on goal (10-4) and corners (6-0).

The opening half was dominated by defense. Both The Rock and the Falcons struggled to find opportunities on target early, as passes were intercepted and the opposing goalkeepers defended aggressively.

It took a Slippery Rock foul in the 29th minute to allow Fairmont State the set-piece opportunity that led to the eventual game-winning goal as Isabella Maldonaldo found the back of the net in the upper left corner on the line drive free kick.

FSU took its one-goal advantage into halftime following an opening 45 minutes that was a balanced back-and-forth contest as neither team held an overwhelming advantage in play. That changed in the second half, which was played almost entirely in Fairmont State's defensive end.

Slippery Rock kept the Fighting Falcons on the back heel in a torturous attack in the final 45 minutes with eight shots, four of which were on goal, but FSU's defense was ultimately able to defend every SRU attack and hold on for the close win.  

The Falcons nearly saw their defensive stronghold breakdown with less than two minutes remaining as a strong SRU cross from the left flank made its way to Sarver's feet. Inside the box, Sarver flicked the ball toward the net, but FSU keeper Olivia Johnston made her 10th and final save of the game to secure the 1-0 win.

FSU maintained their advantage from the first half without taking a single shot in the second.

The match marks Fairmont State's first victory against Slippery Rock in program history, leveling the all-time series at 1-1-1.

Slippery Rock returns to competition 4 p.m. Wednesday when it opens Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division play against Pitt-Johnstown at James Egli Field.


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