Box Score

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Gannon University 4-3 Wednesday afternoon at James Egli Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference competition.
 
The victory improves The Rock's record to 9-5-0 overall and 5-3-0 in league play. Gannon falls to 5-8-1 overall and 4-4-1 in PSAC games.
 
Slippery Rock was also ranked fourth in the initial regional rankings released Wednesday by the NCAA. Charleston was slotted first in the Atlantic Region followed by Mercyhurst, Notre Dame, The Rock, West Virginia Wesleyan and Bloomsburg. The top four teams in the region at the conclusion the season qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
 
SRU found itself trailing 2-0 through the opening 27 minutes of play to Gannon, but quickly regrouped with Stephen Donnelly slipping in two goals with Peter Boylan and Dom Francis both adding scores as well to secure the comeback victory.
 
Donnelly's two-goal performance was his second consecutive and the fifth of his career overall. He now has a team-high nine goals on the year. Donnelly's four-point afternoon also moved him into 12^th place in Rock history with 63 career points. Four of Donnelly's six shots against Gannon were on target.
 
The goals by Boylan and Francis were the seventh of the season for both individuals.
 
Francis was also one of three Rock players to register assists against the Golden Knights. Nick Kutcher was credited for two helpers with Josh Allman also assisting on one Rock goal.
 
Slippery Rock held decisive advantages over Gannon for the game in total shots (19-7), shots on goal (12-8) and corner kicks (7-1).
 
Gannon received its first score of the game in the eighth minute off of a Rock own goal before Ted Martin headed in a pass from Robbie Bennett at 26:49 to make it a 2-0 contest.
 
The Rock responded seven minutes later when Donnelly netted his first goal of the contest on a shot from the top of the box that beat Gannon goalie Manuel Mangu to the left. However, Gannon quickly responded thanks to Bennett dropping in his 10^th goal of the year at 36:56 to push the Golden Knights' lead back to two goals at 3-1.
 
Undeterred, Slippery Rock answered back thanks to Francis, who corralled a free ball in the Gannon zone and proceeded to score with just 17 seconds remaining in the period to send The Rock into the break with the momentum and trailing by one.
 
Slippery Rock dominated the second 45 minutes of play. Three minutes into the second half Donnelly drove home a blocked shot to even the contest at 3-3 and Boylan followed the goal with one of his own less than two minutes later to give SRU the one-goal advantage.
 
The Green and White went on to maintain possession and limit Gannon's scoring chances to just two shots on goal, which were both easily stopped by goalkeeper Steven Rerick, en route to the victory.
 
Bennett had two shots on goal in addition to his goal and assist for the Golden Knights.
 
Slippery Rock looks to continue its winning streak Saturday at No. 11 Mercyhurst. Start time is set for 3:30 p.m.