SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team begins its 2026 campaign with an in-region matchup 7 p.m. Thursday at Duvall-Rosier Field against Fairmont State University before opening Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division play 2 p.m. Sunday at James Egli Field against Lock Haven University.

WATCH LIVE
Fans can watch Thursday's game live on MountainEast.Tv via the links below provided by Fairmont State Athletic Communications. MountainEast.Tv is a free video streaming platform when LIVE, but a $9.99/month subscription to the platform is required to go back and watch any game on demand. You will need to create an account to watch the game. When making an account, there will be two options, the "Basic Pass" for $0.00/month and "Monthly Pass" for $9.99/month. Both passes are acceptable for the live event, but the monthly pass is required to watch the game on demand.

GAME 1 of 18
Opponent: RV Fairmont State
Date: Thursday – 7 p.m.
Location: Fairmont, West Virginia
Venue: Duvall-Rosier Field
Live Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-Game Updates: X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series:  1-1-1
Current Streak: L1
Last Played: Sept. 3, 2023 (Fairmont State won 1-0)

SERIES HISTORY
Slippery Rock and Fairmont State have faced off on three separate occasions with each team grabbing one victory, along with a draw for a 1-1-1 series record for each. The Rock took a 2-0 victory in 2021 in the pair's first meeting, followed by a 0-0 draw in 2022 and a 1-0 Fairmont State victory in 2023.
 

TEAM COMPARISON
The Rock	2025 Stats	Falcons
12-4-1	Overall Record	17-2-3
12-1-1	Conference Record	10-1-3
1.88	Goals per Game	3.5
1.06	Opp. Goals per Game	0.86
+14	Season Goal Differential	+57
14.7	Shots per Game	21.7
9.9	Opp. Shots per Game	6.8
7.2	SOG per Game	11.4
4.6	Opp. SOG per Game	3.5
1.6	Assists per Game	2.4
6.1	Corners per Game	5.4
7.6	Fouls per Game	7.9
3.6	Saves per Game	2.6

A FAMILIAR FACE ON THE OTHER SIDE
Slippery Rock will see a familiar face on the Fairmont State side of the field as Kierstyn Maxey is set to face off with her former side in her first game with the Falcons. In 20 games played, including six starts, Maxey recorded one assist in 702 minutes for The Rock over two seasons.

NO PETS AT EGLI FIELD
Fans are reminded that there are NO PETS allowed at James Egli Field or in any SRU Athletics facilities. Please do not bring dogs or any other pets to the game. Unless they are a registered service animal, you will be asked to remove your pet from the facility.
 
WATCH ON YOUR TV - "ROCK ATHLETICS DIGITAL NETWORK" APPS
• Fans can watch Sunday's game live and on-demand for free on the Rock Athletics Digital Network, created and operated by the SRU athletic communication office.
 
• Search for Rock Athletics Digital Network in the app stores on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku and Android TV devices. The streaming web player linked above will also integrate with Chrome Cast devices to allow viewers to cast the game to those devices.

GAME 2 of 18
Opponent: Lock Haven
Date: Sunday – 2 p.m.
Location: Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Venue: James Egli Field
Live Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-Game Updates: X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: 21-9-5
Current Streak: T1
Last Played: Sept. 21, 2018 (Tied 0-0)

SERIES HISTORY
Slippery Rock holds a 21-9-5 record overall against Lock Haven in their 35 meetings. The Rock currently has a 17-game unbeaten streak against the Bald Eagles, outscoring Lock Haven by a score of 37-4 with a 14-0-3 ledger over that span. SRU has not conceded a goal to LHU in their past nine meetings, dating back to Sept. 30, 2009, in a 1-1 draw.
 

TEAM COMPARISON
The Rock	2025 Stats	Bald Eagles
12-4-1	Overall Record	4-10-2
12-1-1	Conference Record	2-10-2
1.88	Goals per Game	0.81
1.06	Opp. Goals per Game	1.75
+14	Season Goal Differential	-15
14.7	Shots per Game	8.8
9.9	Opp. Shots per Game	14.4
7.2	SOG per Game	4.5
4.6	Opp. SOG per Game	7.1
1.6	Assists per Game	0.9
6.1	Corners per Game	4.3
7.6	Fouls per Game	5.2
3.6	Saves per Game	5.4

ROCK BY THE NUMBERS | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS (2025)
2025 Overall Record: 12-4-1
2025 PSAC West Record: 12-1-1
2025 Home Record: 6-1-1
2025 Away Record: 6-3
2025 PSAC West Rank: 1^st of 8
Head Coach: Noreen Herlihy | 22^nd season overall at SRU (262-117-31, .691) 
            Alma Mater: Mercyhurst '92

LAST TIME OUT
Slippery Rock climbed back to the top of the PSAC West for the first time since 2019, and the fifth time in program history with a 12-4-1 record overall, and a 12-1-1 ledger in the division. After back-to-back losses to begin the season, Slippery Rock won 12 out of its next 14 games and went on a nine-game unbeaten streak, the fifth longest in team history.

SRU's season came to an end after a defeat to Millersville in the PSAC Tournament Quarterfinals.

SEASON OPENER SUCCESS
Slippery Rock holds a 17-13-2 all-time record in season openers. The Rock is 6-8-1 on the road in those contests. The most recent season opener on the road for SRU was last year when The Rock dropped a match 3-0 against No. 16 Ashland University.

GOING FOR 30
The Rock look to continute its winning ways as they will try for their 30th consecutive winning season besides the canceled 2020 season due to COVID-19. In every campaign since 1996, Slippery Rock has came away with more wins than losses. 

HOME COOKING
Slippery Rock has historically taken advantage of its home field. In the last seven years, Slippery Rock has put together an impressive 43-9-13 (.827) record at home between James Egli Field and Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The Rock will look to reap the benefits early in the season as five of SRU's first seven games will be played at home.

2026 PSAC PRESEASON POLL
First-place votes in parentheses
West Division
1) THE ROCK (5)
2) Gannon (4)
3) IUP
4) Edinboro
5) Seton Hill
6) Lock Haven
7) Clarion
8) Pitt-Johnstown
9) California (Pa.)
 
East Division
1) West Chester (7)
2) Kutztown
3) Bloomsburg (1)
4) Shepherd
5) Millersville
6) East Stroudsburg
7) Shippensburg
8) Mansfield

KEY RETURNERS
The Rock return a handful of key players on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

Sophia Palermo is back for her senior season after landing on the All-PSAC West Second Team in her junior campaign. Palermo led The Rock in assists in 2025 with eight, along with finding the back of the net twice.

Abby Paterline was Slippery Rock's main forward in 2025, starting all 17 matches and finding the back of the net six times, the second most on The Rock. Paterline also dished out two assists for 14 total points.

Lindsey Price occupies another forward spot for SRU, finishing last season third on the team in goals with four, behind Paterline's six and Marissa Salisbury's eight. Bailey McGee and Allie Burns each scored twice for SRU in 2025, while McGee added two assists and Burns tacked on one helper.

Kailyn Schulte enters her sophomore campaign after earning All-PSAC West Second Team honors as a freshman defender. The last freshman to earn All-PSAC recognition for SRU was Nina King in 2021.

Joining Schulte on the backline are Lillian Snyder and Lilia Battalini, who both played in all 17 games last year. Synder started each matchup and grabbed one assist, while Battalini earned 13 starts and totaled four points on one goal and two assists.

Jordyn Constable, Libby Earley and Irene Doleno round out Slippery Rock's returners on the backline. Last season, Earley and Doleno each made seven starts and played over 10 games. In 14 games, Earley logged one goal and one assist, while Doleno dished out one assist in 10 matches. Constable appeared on the pitch in 16 out of 17 games, playing 45.8 minutes/game.

Leah Allman returns for her senior campaign in goal for Slippery Rock. In 2025, Allman started every game for SRU, going 12-4-1 with a 1.10 goals against average and a .763 save percentage with six shutouts. Allman earned All-PSAC West Second Team honors with her performance. Allman enters the 2026 season approaching the top of numerous SRU all-time leaderboards. The goalkeeper ranks fourth in wins (33), tied for fourth in shutouts (20.5), fourth in goalie games started (54) and fifth in saves (177).

Allie Burkholder is also back for her senior season after appearing in a 3-0 win at Pitt-Johnstown, making one save in 15 minutes of play.

2026 SRU TRANSFER PORTAL PICKUP
The Rock brought in one player from the transfer portal for the 2026 season. Rosie Willmott Joyce will be one of four goalkeepers on the roster after transferring in from Eastern New Mexico University. Willmott Joyce has played in 30 games with 28 starts in her career for the Greyhounds.

2026 SRU FRESHMAN CLASS
Name-Position-Hometown (in Pennsylvania unless noted)
Addison Bell – Midfielder – Avonmore
Ryann Bumsted – Defender/Midfielder – Mount Wolf
Jilly Deivert – Midfielder/Forward – Northumberland
Bella Gianfrancesco – Midfielder – Pittsburgh
Aubrey Grater – Forward – Monaca
Summer Hill – Forward – Pittsburgh
Gianna Revetta – Midfielder – Plum
Molly Interthal – Defender – Hampton Township
Peyton Los – Midfielder – Saver
Sam Papcunik – Defender – Summerhill
Madisyn Sedor – Defender – Sykesville
Cecelia Wolford – Forward – Butler
Kaylen Yaracs – Goalkeeper – Butler

RECORD WATCH
Leah Allman – Fifth in saves with 182 – two saves away from fourth
Leah Allman – Fourth in wins with 33 – five away from third
Leah Allman – T-4 in shutouts with 20.5 – five and a half away from third
Leah Allman – Fourth in games started as a goalie with 55 – one away from third
Sophia Palermo – T-18 on game winning goals with four – one away from T-16

FAIRMONT STATE BY THE NUMBERS | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS (2025)
2025 Overall Record: 17-2-3
2025 Mountain East Record: 10-1-3
2025 Home Record: 11-1
2025 Away Record: 5-1-3
Head Coach: Alex Zaroyan | First season at FSU (0-0-0, .000)
            Alma Mater: Temple '18

FAIRMONT STATE SCOUTING REPORT
The Falcons are entering 2026 after an outstanding season in 2025. Fairmont State went 17-2-3 last season and made the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a 2-1 win over Kutztown University before losing to West Chester University, 2-0.

Fairmont State returns much of its offensive production with three of its top five scorers from 2025, with each player eclipsing 17 points. Valentina Gianetto leads the Falcon returners as the junior had 11 goals and six assists for 28 points in her sophomore campaign.  Serenity Thomas also passed the 20-point mark with nine goals and four assists for 22 points. Payton Parliament rounds out the top offensive returners for Fairmont State as the forward notched six goals and six assists for 18 points in her freshman season.

Olivia Johnston comes back after starting 20 of 22 games for the Falcons in 2025. Johnston had a 15-2-3 record last year with a 0.93 GAA and a .761 save percentage and two solo shutouts.

LOCK HAVEN BY THE NUMBERS | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS (2025)
2025 Overall Record: 4-10-2
2025 PSAC East Record: 2-10-2
2025 Home Record: 2-5-1
2025 Away Record: 2-5-1             Alma Mater: Neumann '09

LOCK HAVEN SCOUTING REPORT
The Bald Eagles enter the season as a part of the PSAC West for the first time since 2009. Lock Haven is coming off a 4-10-2 season that saw victories against California (Pa.), Mansfield, East Stroudsburg University and Shippensburg University.

LHU returns two of its top five scorers from 2025 as both Bryn Constanzer and Maci Shaffer produced five points last season. Constanzer finished the year with two goals and one assist, while Shaffer had one goal and three assists.  

Riley Houck comes back for her senior season after appearing in two games last year, including one start. Houck went 0-1-0 with a .789 save percentage and a 2.67 GAA in 135 minutes.

Slippery Rock will see a familiar face on the Fairmont State side of the field as Kierstyn Maxey is set to face off with her former side in her first game with the Falcons. In 20 games played, including six starts, Maxey recorded one assist in 702 minutes for The Rock over two seasons.

LOOKING AHEAD
Slippery Rock stays home for a PSAC West contest 4 p.m. Sept. 2 against Edinboro, followed by SRU's final non-conference game of the season 1 p.m. Sept. 5 against Frostburg State University with both matches taking place at James Egli Field.




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