ERIE, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team defeated Mercyhurst University, 1-0, Friday afternoon in the semifinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament to advance to the PSAC championship game for the third time in the last four years.
 
Slippery Rock earned the championship-game berth thanks to a goal from freshman midfielder George Oakley, who sent a free kick from 30 yards out over the outstretched arms of Mercyhurst goalkeeper Daniel Lowton in the 51st minute to give The Rock the win.
 
The victory improved The Rock's record to 13-6 on the season while Mercyhurst's season ends at 9-8-1. Friday's win continues Slippery Rock history of strong postseason play on the Mercyhurst turf; SRU won the 2013 league championship at Mercyhurst with wins over Millersville and the Lakers.
 
Slippery Rock will meet Millersville University in the title game 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercyhurst. The Marauders earned a narrow 2-1 victory over The Rock in the regular season. The last time SRU and Millersville played in the PSAC Title game was in 2009 when SRU upset No. 1 Millersville, 2-1 at Slippery Rock.
 
The Rock's defense held strong for 90 minutes, successfully clearing 23 Laker shots and two corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Steven Rerick led the effort with eight saves, including several diving stops.
 
Oakley's goal was the first of his collegiate career. He also posted a team-high two shots on goal. Junior forward Matt Sangermano, junior midfielder Mike Pcholinsky and junior midfielder Jacob Thiel all placed shots on goal as well.
 
After 20 minutes of back and forth play, SRU took advantage with the first scoring chance of the half when Pcholinsky fired a shot at Lowton, who managed to stop the shot. Mercyhurst's first legitimate scoring chance of the game came in the 29th minute on a Sten Marcson shot, but Rerick made a great diving save to keep the game scoreless.
 
Mercyhrust took four more shots in the half, but Slippery Rock's defense continued to clear anything that came close to the goal to send the game into halftime scoreless.
 
Each team recorded shots in quick succession to start the second half before a Mercyhurst foul gave Oakley a free kick that he would place in the back of the net for what would turn out to be the game-winning goal at 50:28.
 
The Lakers controlled possession for remainder of the contest, but none of their 10 shots following Oakley's goal got through the stellar SRU defense which has now posted four straight shutouts, as SRU hung on for the win and punched its ticket to title game.