SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Millersville field hockey (4-3) opened up conference play with a big win over Slippery Rock (3-4) Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first quarter started deadlocked, with neither team really getting anything going on either side of the ball until the Marauders generated a corner opportunity 9:35 into the first quarter that resulted in two shots—one that was blocked by Paige Webster, and the second that was put wide by Megan Alvarez.

The Marauders continued to pour it on offensively with shots from Emma Ruley and Paige Webster that were turned aside by the Rock goalkeeper.

Millersville was awarded two corners, the first of which resulted in a wide shot from Megan Alvarez, and the second of which led to Alexis Kern's fifth goal of the season to break the tie going into the halftime break.

Less than three minutes into the second half, Emma Ruley and Megan Alvarez played a back-and-forth pass and found the back of the net to extend the Marauders' lead to two off an assist by Megan Alvarez.

Slippery Rock cut the lead in half with just five minutes left in the third quarter, but the Marauder offense went back on the attack and took three shots in response.

Millersville closed out the game with another Megan Alvarez assist and another Emma Ruley goal to make the final score 3-1.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Emma Ruley led the way for the Marauders with two goals, followed by Alexis Kern with one. 

• Megan Alvarez assisted on all three goals and generated a lot of the Marauders' offense. 

• Millersville has had much success finding the back of the net with 22 goals so far this season; their team total last year was 24.
   

POSTGAME WITH SHELLY BEHRENS

• A huge offensive game for you guys, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead. Can you speak on your team's ability to stay on top of the competition and not let off the gas? 

  • "Really good to get a road win to open up conference play. It was good to get some goals, but we feel we could have been sharper & more disciplined overall." 

• Your offense has been riding the hot hand of Emma Ruley and Alexis Kern. Can you speak on their impact as goal scorers and their ability to put the ball in the goal? 

  • "Ruley, Lexi & Meg just have a great connectivity and read and play off of each other well. They just keep getting better together. Goal scoring is never easy- and for them to keep pushing it helps our team for sure."

• You seem to be comfortable subbing Sarah Crysler and Addy Arkhurst for halves at a time. Can you speak on their impact on the defense and the luxury that you have with two solid goalies to hold it down in net? 

  • "I am very comfortable with any of our gks in the net! Sarah, Addy & Katie work so well together and support each other, knowing that only one of them can play at a time! We will see how we go game to game, but these ladies are all game-ready. Great road win for us, and we will get back to the Ville and get back to work!"