Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – Controversial calls and three ejections doomed the 11th-ranked Slippery Rock University men's soccer team in its bid to earn the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division title as Mercyhurst emerged with a 2-1 victory Tuesday in Erie.

The Rock was called for four yellow cards and three red cards, including two in the first half, and was forced to play the majority of the game down one player and the final 37:36 down two players after Jeremy Deighton was ejected in the 53rd minute.

The Rock scored in the first minute when Thomas Pool found the back of the net off an assist from Patrick Conley.

Mercyhurst notched the tying goal in the 41st minute when Michael De Rose beat Rock keeper Greg Blum.

Slippery Rock played a resilient second half without two players and still managed to finish the game with advantages in shots and shots on goal, but the Lakers controlled possession and were able to score the game-winner when Billy Colton scored in the 80th minute.

The Rock, now 15-3 overall and 5-2 in the PSAC-West, finished with advantages of 20-16 in total shots, 8-6 in shots on goal and 7-1 in corner kicks.

Mercyhurst improves to 14-4 overall and finishes league play at 7-1.

The Rock will travel to Mercyhurst Wednesday, Nov. 4, for the semifinal round of the PSAC playoffs. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Prior to that, SRU will host Gannon in a 12 p.m. division game Saturday on Bob DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.