Slippery Rock, Pa. – In the first contest of the 2025 campaign, the Adelphi University field hockey team fell to Slippery Rock University by a final score of 0-1 in the Keystone State.
The first quarter saw both teams start slow, with defense playing a key role. Neither side attempted a shot until the final minute of the quarter, when Olivia Docyk sent in a penalty corner. After a quick pass, Lana Mignon De Wet fired one at the Slippery Rock goalkeeper but was denied. The Panthers (0-1) couldn't capitalize on their first opportunity of the young season, and the opening quarter ended with zeroes on the board for both teams.
The second quarter began with Adelphi earning another penalty corner just over a minute in. De Wet managed to line up a shot off this chance—and another shortly after—keeping the pressure on the Rock's defense, but neither connected. One missed wide, while the other was blocked. Slippery Rock responded with their first real offensive opportunity 22 minutes into the match, forcing starting goalkeeper Allison Gregory to make a save on a shot by Madison Shomo. Following a wide attempt by Sydney Flores, both teams headed into halftime still knotted at 0-0.
To start the second half, freshman Jena Geels had two strong chances to open the scoring for the Panthers. Her first collegiate shot was stopped by Leah Riegling less than a minute in. Eight minutes later, Geels broke away from the defense and maneuvered past the Slippery Rock goalkeeper, generating the cats best look of the day—only for the shot to bounce off the post.
Neither team would find the back of the cage for the remainder of the third quarter, keeping the score locked at zero. Through 45 minutes, the Brown and Gold held the advantage in penalty corners (5-0) and shots (6-1).
The final 15 minutes saw the Green and White break the tie. Lucy Hutchinson capitalized on a rebound off Gregory's pads and found the back of the net with the help of a deflection off an Adelphi defender, scoring in the third minute of the final frame.
From there, Slippery Rock's defense bent but didn't break—fending off a penalty corner and two late shot attempts from Jody Van Aardt and Caroline Beakes to preserve the shutout.
Head Coach Jess Mulhern and the Panthers will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 10, when they return to New York to take on crosstown rival Molloy University. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
