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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The 22nd-ranked Slippery Rock University men's soccer team dropped its first game of the season Thursday, falling 1-0 to Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action at James Egli Field.

With the loss, Slippery Rock drops to 3-1-3 overall and opens PSAC play at 0-1. Mercyhurst, which lost its first three games of the season, improves to 4-3 overall and  3-0 in league play.

Thursday's game was nearly even in every statistical category and both team shared an equal number of solid scoring chances. The difference in the game came when the Lakers buried their one solid chance in the 19th minute. Slippery Rock had two great chances to even the score at 1-1, but headers from Drew Donoghue and Anthony Jack found the crossbar.

The Rock finished the game with advantages of 12-11 in total shots and 5-3 in corner kicks. The Lakers posted a 4-3 edge in shots on goal.

The lone goal of the game came at the 18:54 mark when Matt Campana played a long ball over the SRU defense to a streaking Alex Manea, who beat Rock keeper Clayton Master to put the visitors up 1-0.

Donoghue's header came on a corner kick late in the first half and clipped the crossbar before bouncing out of bounds.

Jack's chance came midway through the second half on a corner kick from Stephen Donnelly, but again found the crossbar. After finding the woodwork, the ball careened directly to Laker keeper Diego Gustin.

Gustin earned the shutout win with three saves for the Lakers, while Master took the loss, allowing one goal and recording three saves for SRU.

The Rock will play three more home matches in the next 10 days to wrap up a six game homestand. Wheeling Jesuit will visit Mihalik-Thompson Stadium for a non-conference match Sunday at 3:30 p.m., followed by PSAC matches against California and Shippensburg at Egli Field next Friday and Saturday.