The No. 7 Slippery Rock University lacrosse team claimed the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western division title on Wednesday in a 10-6 win against No. 22 Seton Hill at Dick’s Sporting Goods Field. This will be the second year in a row that the team has claimed the title.
The four-goal margin is tied for the team’s second-closest game of the season, aside from an early-season 13-12 victory over West Chester from the PSAC Eastern Division.
The Rock has been dominant throughout its 16-game winning streak, playing only six games decided by single digits.
Falling into an early deficit, The Rock was able to tighten the gap to one. A goal by Isabella Buono and an assist from Grace Rotter closed the first quarter with SRU still trailing the Griffins.
Seton Hill scored three more times within in the second closing the half 6-3. The Rock put up seven shots during the quarter with only one being successful with a solo goal from Reagan Richeson.
Coming out of the half, Slippery Rock exploded into a seven-goal run, keeping the Griffins from adding to their goal count.
In goal, junior Lily Ventresca made six saves in the second half, shutting the door on Seton Hill’s offense, who scored 24 goals in their last contest.
Offensively, Isabella Buono and Grace Rotter scored three goals apiece for the White and Green, with Reagan Richeson chipping in two of her own, and Ella Koslowski and Abby Fink each tacking on one each.
Rotter, a senior, currently ranks 12th in SRU program history in goals and 16 in shots on goal. She placed a season high during the game in shots on goal with nine throughout the night.
This win extended The Rock’s regular season winning streak to 26 straight games and 23 consecutive PSAC West victories.
The Rock has an opportunity to finish the regular season undefeated for the first time in program history Saturday when they travel to Lock Haven.
On April 4, Slippery Rock defeated Lock Haven 20-5 at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
Regardless of the outcome, Slippery Rock will host Shippensburg, the fourth seed from the PSAC East Division, Tuesday at 4.p.m.
A win over Shippensburg would make SRU the host for the PSAC semifinals and final next Friday and Sunday.
