Box Score

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Jeremy Deighton recorded a hat trick to lead the 12th-ranked Slippery Rock University men's soccer team to its ninth consecutive win, a 3-0 victory over Lock Haven in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division matchup Wednesday at Thompson Stadium.

All three of Deighton's goals came in the second half and all three were scored off perfectly placed headers.

Neither team could find the net during the first half, with The Rock holding an 8-5 advantage in total shots at the break.

The first of Deighton's goals came in the 49th minute when he headed home a rebound into the top right corner of the net after Toby Bowser hit the crossbar on a free kick.

Deighton's second came in the 85th minute when touched the ball over Lock Haven keeper Chad Badorf's head off a long free kick from Shaun Reid.

Just 1:02 later, he would complete his hat trick when he headed home the final goal of the game off a free kick from Bowser in the 86th minute.

Not to be overlooked by Deighton's hat trick was the sixth individual shutout of the season for goalkeeper Greg Blum, who recorded seven saves in the contest to improve his record to 10-1. Blum has allowed just six goals in 11 games this season.

Badorf was credited with the loss after allowing three goals and recording four saves.

The Rock finished the game with a 16-11 advantage in total shots, while each team was credited with seven shots on goal. Lock Haven held the edge in corner kicks, 6-3.

The win is the ninth in a row for Slippery Rock dating back to the first meeting between these two teams, a 3-1 Rock win at Lock Haven Sept. 2. The Rock is now 10-1 overall and stands alone atop the PSAC-West standings with a 5-0 record. Lock Haven drops to 4-5-2 overall and 1-4-0 in league play.

The Rock will have a rare week off with its next game set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, a crucial PSAC-West matchup at California (Pa.). A Slippery Rock win in that contest would guarantee a top-two finish in the PSAC-West and a place in the PSAC playoffs. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.