IUP Drops PSAC West Opener at Slippery Rock in Battle of Preseason Favorites

Boxscore

Slippery Rock overcame a 1-0 deficit midway through the first half to post a 2-1 victory over IUP in a matchup of the top two teams in the PSAC West.

Slippery Rock (3-0, 2-0 PSAC West) was selected to win the division in preseason balloting by the league's head coaches, just ahead of IUP (1-1, 0-1).

Shana Speese (pictured) scored her second goal in as many games to give IUP the lead with 26:34 expired in the opening half.  Crystal Heder assisted on the goal, giving her 85 points in her career, second on the all-time IUP list in that category.

The IUP advantage lasted 12 minutes before Meghan McGrath tied with 6:22 left before halftime.  Danielle Cooper produced the game winner for Slippery Rock just over seven minutes into the second stanza.  Martina Hall assisted on both Rock tallies.

IUP held a whopping 22-9 advantage in shots, firing 11 in both halves.  Lauren McManus made eight saves for Slippery Rock.  Becky Dillard started in goal and played 10:31 before being injured and replaced by April Hunsberger, who made one save.

IUP looks to get back on the winning track with home games on Friday against Bridgeport (4 p.m.) and Sunday against California (1 p.m.).

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