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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's lacrosse team dropped a heartbreaking 8-7 decision Wednesday night against Indiana (Pa.) in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division opener for each team.

The Rock (2-1, 0-1 PSAC) led 5-3 at halftime, but the Crimson Hawks (3-2, 1-0 PSAC) were able to net five goals in the second half to seal the comeback win.

Amy Halls led SRU with three goals, while Alexis Slutsky, Samantha Eddy, Casey Quinn and Ariel Knox each netted one goal. Quinn led the team with seven ground balls and four caused turnovers.

Emma VanDenburg and Eddy each handed out two assists in the game and Brianne Dishong matched Quinn with four caused turnovers.

Ashley Winkelspecht took the loss in goal after allowing eight goals and recording 15 saves.

Fouls proved to be a decisive factor in the game, as SRU was called for 33 fouls to Indiana's 26. One foul in particular proved to be a game-changing foul.

Trailing 5-4 with 22:30 to play in the second half, Indiana's Kellie Caldwell was awarded a free-position shot attempt after a yellow card was issued to SRU's Olivia Lampenfeld. Lampenfeld left the field to serve the 3:00 penalty, but the referees ordered Winkelspecht to vacate the goal, allowing Caldwell to score into an empty net to tie the game.

Slippery Rock regained the lead at 6-5 when Halls scored on a free-position shot with 19:48 to play and moved the lead back to two goals at 7-5 when Knox scored off an assist from Eddy with 17:41 to play.

IUP won each of the next two draw controls and converted with 15:36 to play and again with 13:54 to play to tie the game at 7-7.

After over 10 scoreless minutes, Indiana's Alex Slinkard broke free on a clear attempt and scored the game-winner with 3:29 to play.

The Crimson Hawks were led by Corinne Miller with two goals, while six other players each scored once.

Kaitlin Sterling was credited with the win in goal after allowing seven goals and recording eight saves.

IUP finished the game with advantages of 29-22 in total shots, 9-8 in draw controls and 22-21 in ground balls and converted on 16-of-18 clear attempts. The Rock held a 17-10 edge in caused turnovers and converted on 16-of-24 clear attempts.

Slippery Rock is back in action Saturday, when it travels to Tiffin for a 2 p.m. non-conference contest.