SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team completed the season-sweep of Indiana University (Pa.) with a 1-0 win over the Crimson Hawks Wednesday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
With the win, Slippery Rock improved its record to 9-3-0 overall and 9-1-0 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division, while IUP, which was receiving votes in the most recent United Soccer Coaches top-25 poll, saw its record drop to 10-2-2 overall and 7-2-1 in the PSAC West.
Slippery Rock held the third-highest scoring offense in Division II, and the nation's leading scorer in Elle Smith, scoreless over both matchups this season.
In addition to being the only team to earn victories over Indiana so far in 2025, SRU has now accounted for two of the three times IUP has been shutout this season – Indiana also tied the University of Findlay 0-0 on Sept. 6.
Wednesday's home victory was an important one for a multitude of reasons for Slippery Rock.
Not only does the win give SRU a firm grasp on second place in the PSAC West standings, now five points ahead of third-place Indiana, it also keeps The Rock just one point behind division leader Gannon University (28 points / 9-0-1) with four games to play in the regular season.
Additionally, the win will also carry heavy weight in the upcoming regional rankings. The NCAA will release its first batch of regional rankings next week.
The NCAA's regional rankings are the only official ranking used by the Division II Women's Soccer Committee's to determine which teams from each of the eight regions will qualify for the 56-team NCAA Division II playoffs. The regional rankings will be released every Wednesday through the final three weeks of the season until final selections are revealed Nov. 17.
Slippery Rock has now won five consecutive games, marking the program's second longest winning streak over the last five years.
Libby Zacharyasz scored the lone goal in the game for either team, her second score of the season.
Sophia Palermo picked up an assist on Zacharyasz's marker, her team-leading sixth helper of 2025.
Bailey McGee led SRU in shots with five, followed by Palermo (3) and Zacharyasz (2) as The Rock shot takers.
Leah Allman turned in a four-save shutout effort for her 30th career victory.
SRU managed the first scoring opportunity in the first half as McGee sent a hard shot from 25 yards out that hit the crossbar around the halfway mark of the first half.
With the opening frame winding down, IUP's Emily Lattea sent a long range shot of her own that was bending into the net, but a leaping Allman got a hand on the attempt and sent the ball over the net, preserving a 0-0 game.
Slippery Rock entered halftime with a 5-4 advantage in shots and 2-1 in shots on goal.
The Rock opened the scoring in the 53rd minute as Palermo sent a pass from outside of the 18-yard box to the right post and Zacharyasz capitalized on the pass as she put the shot through the legs of IUP's goalkeeper, giving Slippery Rock a 1-0 lead.
The Crimson Hawks increased the pressure in the final 30 minutes, but were unable to break through Slippery Rock's defense as SRU secured the shutout win.
IUP ended the match with a 14-10 edge in shots and both teams put four shots on goal.
Slippery Rock travels to Pitt-Johnstown in PSAC West action for a noon start Saturday. SRU defeated the Mountain Cats, 2-0, at home earlier in the season.
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