Slippery Rock Edges Women’s LAX

Sophomore Emma Rufolo had one goal and eight draw controls. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki Sophomore Emma Rufolo had one goal and eight draw controls. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
Sophomore Emma Rufolo had one goal and eight draw controls. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
Sophomore Emma Rufolo had one goal and eight draw controls.
Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki

By Ronald Hanaki
Sports Editor

Slippery Rock’s Women’s Lacrosse team edged ESU 12-10 last Sunday at Slippery Rock’s Mihalik-Thompson Stadium to stay undefeated (6-0) this season.

This was a game of scoring runs. The Rock scored first, but goals by ESU sophomore Brooke Fritz and senior Emily Fitzsimmons in the first five minutes gave the Warriors an early 2-1 lead.

The Rock battled back by scoring three out of the next four goals to take a slim 4-3 lead in the middle of the first half.

Goals by senior Lauren Green and junior Chessie Rahmer made the score 5-4 and gave the lead back to the Warriors.

However, Slippery Rock closed out the first half on a 3-0 goal-scoring run to take a 7-5 lead over the Warriors at halftime.

Head Coach Xeni Barakos must have given a fiery speech because the Warriors opened the second half on a 3-0 scoring run of their own to retake the lead at 8-7. But that was the last time ESU would have the lead.

The Rock’s Tia Torchia and Caitlyn Palladino would answer ESU with three straight goals of their own to make the score 10-8 Slippery Rock.

Twelve seconds later, ESU junior Alicia Stratten scored. Now the Warriors only trailed by one goal.

With 2:44 left in the game, freshman Hana Cicerelle broke through Slippery Rock’s defense and scored to tie the game 10-10.

At that point in time, it looked like the game might be headed to overtime. But it was not to be.

One minute-and-a-half later, The Rock’s Torchia scored her 11th goal of the season to give Slippery Rock a one-goal lead.

With four seconds left, The Rock’s Palladino scored her 15th goal of the season to make the final score 12-10 Slippery Rock.

The Warriors were valiant in defeat. They were led by sophomore T.J. Jefferis who had two goals and two assists.

Green had one goal and two assists for three points. Rahmer scored two goals, and Cicerelle had one goal and one assist.

Freshman goalkeeper Tatyana Petteway made eight saves in the loss.

On Monday, it was announced that Slippery Rock is now ranked No. 17 in this week’s Nike / US Lacrosse poll.

The Warriors (5-2, 1-1) return home for a Saturday afternoon tilt with Gannon University (2-4, 0-2) on April 1.

Email Ronald at:
rhanaki@live.esu.edu