SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The No. 23 Slippery Rock University women's soccer team scored two first-half goals to propel itself to a 2-0 victory in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals against Millersville University Tuesday at James Egli Field.
The Rock's triumph was their first postseason victory since 2024 in a 2-1 overtime win at No. 23 Indiana University (Pa.) and their first postseason win at home since 2019.
With the victory, Slippery Rock improved to 15-2-2 overall and will meet No. 15 West Chester University in the PSAC Tournament semifinals after the Golden Rams took down Seton Hill University in penalty kicks.
Millersville fell to 11-5-3 on the season with the loss. The Marauders currently sit No. 7 in the Atlantic Region NPI Rankings, leaving their NCAA Tournament fate to be decided in the Selection Show 7 p.m. Nov. 9.
The United Soccer Coaches (USC) released their final national poll of the season during the game Tuesday. The Rock entered the poll at No. 23 this week, marking their first appearance in the Top 25 this season. With its entrance, Slippery Rock was ranked in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2013-14. SRU was No. 23 as its highest in the USC poll last season. To see the full top 25 clickÂ
HERE.
Abby Paterline and
Lilia Battalini each scored their team-leading seventh goal of the season for The Rock, while
Bailey McGee dished out her team-high seventh assists of 2026.
Paterline and
Gianna Revetta each took two shots to lead The Rock, while Battalini,
Jilly Deivert,
Sophia Palermo,
Jordyn Constable,
Peyton Los,
Libby Earley and
Lindsey Price all attempted one shot for SRU.
Leah Allman made four saves to claim her eighth clean sheet of the season in the 48
th win of her career.
Slippery Rock started the scoring early with a goal in the third minute. After earning a corner kick, McGee sent in the set piece to the front post, where Paterline met it with a header into the bottom left corner, giving Slippery Rock a 1-0 lead.
The Rock doubled their advantage in the 37
th minute off Battalini's strike. After Millersville pressure, Battalini received a pass from Paterline before making a defender miss as the sophomore put her shot into the top corner, just out of the reach of the Marauder's goalkeeper Megan Taltavull.
Coming out of halftime, Millersville turned up the pressure and possessed the ball for much of the beginning 15 minutes of the second half, but the Marauders only attempted one shot in that span.
The Marauders thought they cut The Rock's lead to one in the 57
th minute, but the nation's second highest scorer, Aubrey Strohecker, was called offsides and the goal was negated.
After staving off Millersville's attack, Slippery Rock was able to keep its 2-0 advantage throughout the rest of the contest.
The Rock ended the game with advantages in shots (11-6), shots in goal (5-4) and saves (4-3).
Slippery Rock will be back in action for the PSAC Tournament semifinals against No. 15 West Chester 1 p.m. Friday at James Egli Field. The Rock and the Golden Rams have not seen each other since the 2019 season.
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).
Â
