SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Junior net-minder Ainslee Penfield (Greenfield, Mass.) registered six saves, but it was not enough as Slippery Rock University defeated American International College, 2-0, in non-conference field hockey action this afternoon at Abdow Field.
With the win The Rock gets off to an early 1-0 start to their 2014 campaign while the Yellow Jackets fall to 1-1 in the setback.
AIC came out strong using the momentum from their overtime victory yesterday to pressure Slippery Rock early.
Off a beautifully inserted corner ball by freshman Meghan Largo (Ballston Lake, N.Y.), to the top of the circle, junior Erica McLean (Branford, Conn.) started a give-and-go play with classmate Kaylin Harbin (Stroudsburg, Pa.) who got the ball back to McLean quickly but her short side attempt found the goalie's pads as the score remained 0-0.
The first half was played mostly in the midfield as the Yellow Jackets controlled possession often and went into the locker room holding the 7-1 edge in shots with the 5-0 lead in shots on goal.
The Rock made the necessary adjustments coming out of the break and completed shifted momentum and were able to break the tie in the 45th minute.
Senior Anna Swearingen (Columbus, Ohio) found the back of the net off the rebound of classmate Allison Shade's (Fleetwood, Pa.) initial shot for the 1-0 edge.
The Black and Gold threatened for the equalizer in the 49th minute when senior Jenna Masionis (Ashland, Mass.) connected with sophomore Emma Heroth (Johnstown, N.Y.) but her shot was stuffed by Rock junior goaltender Carlee DuMars (Frederick, Md.) to preserve the one-goal advantage.
Slippery Rock then received an insurance goal from senior Kelsey Gustafson (Endwell, N.Y.) in the 60th minute who was able to convert a penalty shot for the 2-0 final.
The Rock completely controlled the pace of play in the second half turning the tides on the Yellow Jackets and holding the 9-1 edge in shots and the 8-0 advantage in shots on goal.
Slippery Rock ended the contest with the slim 10-8 advantage in total shots and the 8-5 edge in shots on goal. AIC held the 9-4 lead in penalty corners.
DuMars registered five saves in the triumph to start off the season 1-0 while Penfield fell to 1-1 in the setback collecting six saves.
American International returns to action one week from today as they travel to Bentley for a non-conference matchup at 12 p.m. and Slippery Rock turns it around quickly and challenges Bellarmine tomorrow at 12 p.m. right here at Ronald J. Abdow Field.
