SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team opened Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division competition with a 5-0 shutout victory against Pitt-Johnstown Wednesday at Egli Field.
 
The victory improves The Rock's record to 2-1-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the PSAC West while the Mountain Cats drop to 0-2-1 overall and 0-1-0 in league play.
 
SRU has now scored 11 goals in its two home games this season sandwiched between a road loss. The 11 goals mark the highest goal output over the first two home games of a season in program history.
 
The Rock dominated every facet of the game Wednesday as SRU closed the contest with large advantages in total shots (43-4), shots on goal (17-1) and corners (12-2) all the while holding possession for over 90 percent of the game.
 
Sydney Patrick led the way for Slippery Rock with a four-point day that included one goal and two assists. Patrick has compiled a team-best nine points via three goals and three assists through the opening three games of the year.
 
Reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Week Morgan Sarver chipped in her second goal of the season, Briona Rice and Sophia Palermo tallied their first collegiate goals while defender Faith Diffenbacher rounded out the goal scorers with her first of 2023.
 
Nina King and Ashley Rea also joined Patrick in setting up the attack with one assist apiece as well.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Leah Allman stopped the lone shot she faced for her first collegiate shutout.
 
SRU wasted little time igniting its offensive onslaught as Sarver scored on a Rea pass just 90 seconds into regulation. The early score was the third fastest goal in program behind only Juliana Howell (46 seconds vs. Wheeling / 2009) and Laurent Plouse (53 seconds at California / 2006).
 
Palermo added the second goal of the game in the 34th minute to send The Rock into the halftime break leading the Mountain Cats, 2-0.
 
Slippery Rock's offense got going once again 15 minutes into the second half as Patrick netted a goal with a high arching shot from the deep corner. Just 2:46 later, Rice finished a shot in front of the net past UPJ goalie Parker Grimm in the 64th minute.
 
Diffenbacher went on to put the finishing touches on the five-goal victory by heading home a corner kick from Patrick in the 73rd minute en route to the win on a hot day at Egli Field.
 
Slippery Rock returns to PSAC West competition on the road 1 p.m. Saturday at Seton Hill University. SRU went 1-0-1 against the Griffins last year with the victory coming in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.






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