Box Score

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The 13th-ranked Slippery Rock University men's soccer team improved its winning streak to seven games with a 2-1 win over 18th-ranked Mercyhurst in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division contest Tuesday night at Thompson Stadium.

The Rock improves to 8-1 overall and finishes the first round of PSAC-West action with an unblemished 4-0 record. Mercyhurst entered Tuesday's game with its own six game winning streak and had not allowed more than one goal in a game all season. The Lakers, who had also not allowed a goal in over 300 minutes, drop to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the PSAC-West.

Slippery Rock got on the board first when Mitchell Walters fielded a turnover in the box and beat Mercyhurst keeper Diego Gustin in the 26th minute.

The Rock carried that 1-0 lead into halftime and held a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal at the intermission.

Slippery Rock's leading scorer Jeremy Deighton added the second goal and eventual game-winner when he fielded a pass from Kenneth Fultz and beat two defenders before finding the back of the net over Gustin's head in the 63rd minute. The goal was Deighton's PSAC-leading fourth game-winning goal of the season.

Mercyhurst battled back, pulling to within one goal when Billy Colton beat Rock keeper Greg Blum on a sliding shot in the 88th minute, but The Rock controlled the final two minutes to secure the win.

Blum earned the win in goal after recording five saves. Gustin took the loss after allowing two goals and recording two saves.

The Lakers finished the game with advantages of 16-10 in total shots, 6-5 in shots on goal and 4-2 in corner kicks.

Tuesday marked a monumental day in Rock men's soccer history, as the team reached No. 13 when the third National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas poll came out, tying the highest ranking ever reached by Slippery Rock's men. The 8-1 start is also the best start in the eight-year career of head coach Matt Thompson.

Slippery Rock will travel to East Stroudsburg Saturday for a 12 p.m. PSAC crossover match. Live stats will be available and can be accessed by visiting the men's soccer schedule at www.RockAthletics.com.