New/Sortable Box Score  |  Traditional Box Score


Stephen Donnelly was named the tournament MVP after scoring two goals, including the game-winner, in Saturday's final and also converting his penalty kick attempt in the semifinal shootout over Millersville.

Donnelly took a pass from Brandon Chiu in front of the net and beat Mercyhurst keeper Mikko Sarkkinen into the lower right corner for the game-winner with 5:16 to play in the second overtime session.

The PSAC title is the seventh in program history and the first since 2009 for SRU. It is also the first for head coach Michael Bonelli, who has guided the team into the playoffs in three of his four years as head coach.

The win almost certainly cements Slippery Rock's place in the NCAA Tournament. The Rock was ranked No. 3 in this week's regional rankings and tied No. 5 Millersville in the PSAC semifinals Friday and defeated No. 2 Mercyhurst in the final Saturday.

It is very possible that SRU and Mercyhurst could renew their rivalry next weekend in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The selections, seeds and game dates will be announced in the NCAA Selection Show Monday night at 7 p.m. at www.NCAA.com.

Saturday's win was a reversal of last year's PSAC championship game, when Mercyhurst edged SRU 1-0 for the title on the same field.

The Lakers never led in Saturday's final as Slippery Rock scored early to go up 1-0 and regained a 2-1 lead after the Lakers tied the game.

Dom Francis opened the scoring in the 11th minute when he finished a crossing pass from Peter Boylan to put The Rock up 1-0.

Mercyhurst answered when the Lakers were awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and Joseph Korb bent one with the wind into the upper corner to tie it at 1-1 in the 15th minute.

Slippery Rock, playing the first half into a strong head wind, regained the lead 2-1 when Donnelly hit a perfect free kick around the wall and into the upper left corner in the 34th minute.

That margin stood until the halftime break, but Mercyhurst wasted little time in tying the game in the second half. Jack Watson scored off a rebound from a Fernando Martinez shot just 2:23 into the period to even it at 2-2.

Both teams had outstanding chances throughout the rest of regulation, including a free kick from Francis that just missed the post for SRU, and a breakaway one-on-one for Mercyhurst that was stoned by Rock keeper Joe Agerskow.

Agerskow made the game-saving stop with just under 10 minutes to play in regulation and that save shifted the momentum. Mercyhurst was issued a red card shortly after and was forced to play down a man for the final 7:30 of regulation and overtime.

The Rock nearly won the game in the first overtime session when Francis broke free and beat Sarkkinen, but his shot hit the crossbar and managed to stay out.

Despite being down a man, Mercyhurst continued to press forward and had three chances in the opening 10 minute overtime, but The Rock defense withstood the challenge.

Slippery Rock, playing into the wind again in the second overtime, flipped the field and controlled much of the play, posting a 3-1 edge in shots.

After a steal in the Mercyhurst zone, Chiu worked forward in an odd-man break before passing to an open Donnelly in front for the game-winner.

Agerskow was outstanding all weekend, posting the shutout and making a stop in the shootout in the semifinals and finishing with five saves in Saturday's final.

Sarkkinen made two saves in the loss for the Lakers.

Mercyhurst was on the positive side of a skewed shot total that saw the Lakers with a 28-11 advantage in total shots. Only seven of those shots got through to the net.

Slippery Rock finished with five shots on goal and Mercyhurst had a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.

The Rock will gather as a team Monday night for the NCAA Selection Show to find out their opponent and game location for the NCAA Tournament. If Slippery Rock moves up from No. 3 to one of the top two spots in the region, it would mean a home NCAA Tournament game next weekend.