CLARION, Pa. – Behind an 84^th minute game-winner from Libby Zacharyasz, the Slippery Rock University women's soccer team claimed an important victory Wednesday at Clarion, 1-0.
 
With the win, Slippery Rock stays atop the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division with an 11-3-0 record overall and a 11-1-0 mark in the PSAC West, while Clarion's record fell to 3-10-2 overall and 3-7-2 in the PSAC West. While not in the top 25, Slippery Rock did receive votes in the United Soccer Coaches National Poll this week for the first time this season. The last time Slippery Rock was ranked was in 2021. The full list can be seen HERE.
 
The race for the PSAC West is heating up as Slippery Rock (11-1-0/ 33 points), No. 9 Gannon University (10-1-1/ 31 points) and Indiana University (Pa.) (9-2-1/ 28 points) are battling it out for the division title. Each team still has a chance to claim the PSAC West with two games remaining.
 
While Slippery Rock has already clinched a spot in the PSAC Tournament, it can clinch a home game in the quarterfinal round with one point in its final two games.
 
Earlier today, Slippery Rock was announced as one of 10 teams in the first NCAA regional ranking. 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. This week's rankings were alphabetical, but moving forward they will be put in rank order.
 
Slippery Rock has now won seven consecutive games, matching the program's longest winning streak over the last five years. The seven-game run matches the 10th longest unbeaten streak in program history.
 
Zacharyasz scored the lone goal in the game for either team, her second goal of the season. Marissa Salisbury and Lillian Snyder each picked up an assist on the Zacharyasz marker.
 
Bailey McGee and Abby Paterline led The Rock with six shots each. Zacharyasz (4), Lilia Battalini (3) and Sophia Palermo (3) took multiple shots for SRU as well, while Salisbury and Lindsey Price took one shot apiece to round out Slippery Rock's shot takers.
 
Leah Allman earned her 32^ndt career victory in a one save shutout performance.
 
Each team had multiple scoring opportunities in the first half, but were unable to find the back of the net.
 
Slippery Rock entered halftime with a 14-5 advantage in shots and 5-0 edge in shots on goal.
 
As time continued to wind down, Zacharyasz opened the scoring in the 84^th minute. Snyder took a free-kick from her own half that Salisbury got a head on, pushing the ball past the Golden Eagles' defensive line where Zacharyasz ran onto it and put it past Clarion goalkeeper, Sage Sherk, who had an outstanding night with nine saves.
 
SRU finished the matchup with a 24-6 advantage in shots and a 11-1 edge in shots on goal.
 
Slippery Rock returns home to try and even the season-series with No. 9 Gannon 1 p.m. Saturday at James Egli Field.


 
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