SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University field hockey team recorded a 1-0 season-opening victory over Adelphi University Thursday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
Slippery Rock (1-0) has now won back-to-back season-openers for the first time since 2017-2018 in addition to recording the program's first shutout in an opener since beating St. Thomas Aquinas, 2-0, to start 2016.
 
Additionally, Thursday's win marked the first victory in the head coaching career of Missy Revesz, who was tabbed to lead the program in the offseason following seven years as an assistant at The Rock.
 
The victory was highlighted by Lucy Hutchinson, who scored the game's lone goal – the first of her Slippery Rock career. Madison Shomo and Hilary Hoffman registered shots offensively for SRU as well with Shomo's being on target.
 
A spirited defensive effort resulted in SRU's first shutout since downing Mercyhurst University, 2-0, on Oct. 24, 2023. The Rock's back line did an exceptional job of not allowing the Panthers (0-1) clean looks at the cage as Adelphi tallied only two shots on goal, both of which were stopped by Leah Riegling, who was making her first career start as SRU's goalkeeper.
 
While Adelphi exited the contest holding team advantages in total shots (8-3) and penalty corners (6-1), SRU matched the Panthers in shots on goal with two apiece.
 
The difference in what was an evenly matched bout for all four quarters came in the 48th minute.
 
Hutchinson weaved her way through the Adelphi defense on a 20-yard spurt towards the cage only to have the ball poked away by an AU defender. Undeterred, Hutchinson corralled the loose ball at the near left side of the cage and promptly fired a shot that snuck by Panther goalie Allison Gregory and two other Adelphi defenders for what turned out to be the game-winning goal at 47:08.
 
Following Hutchinson's score, Adelphi attempted to mount a comeback with two shots and a final corner only to thwarted by SRU's defense en route to the home win.
 
Slippery Rock now turns its attention to a 12 p.m. Sunday game against Pace University at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Following the Pace game, SRU embarks on a season-long four-game road trip.  




To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official Athletic Communication accounts on 'X' (formerly Twitter, @Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics) and Instagram (RockAthletics).