SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team played one of its most complete games of the season in a 1-0 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference victory over East Stroudsburg University Saturday afternoon at James Egli Field.
 
The victory improves The Rock's record to 3-6-2 overall and 2-3-2 in PSAC competition. The Warriors drop to 5-5-1 overall and 3-3-1 in league matches with the loss.
 
Patrick Sullivan, one of The Rock's best defenders, scored his first goal in just under two seasons at SRU in the victory. George Oakley setup the goal for his second assist of the season. The two assists are tied with Mike Pcholinsky for the most by a Rock player this year.
 
SRU held an 11-8 advantage over East Stroudsburg in total shots. Pcholinsky and Kenton Keeslar each had three and Sullivan added two while Justin Minda, Josh Allman and Liam Gasparotto each registered one shot attempt as well.
 
Goalkeeper Steven Rerick made his second consecutive start, stopping four shots in the shutout. The clean sheet was Rerick's second of the season and ninth of his career. 
 
Slippery Rock posted an impressive nine shots in the opening 45 minutes, four of which came in a two-minute stretch early on by Allman, Pcholinsky (twice) and Keeslar. However, none of the shots were able to find the back of the net and the game remained scoreless through 15 minutes of action.
 
SRU continued to maintain consistent possession and pressure on ESU over the remainder of the first half with shots on goal by Keeslar and Pcholinsky until finally breaking through the Warriors' defense in the 36th minute when Sullivan finished off a shot from eight yards out in the middle of the zone to give The Rock a one-goal advantage with under 10 minutes to play in the half.
 
The Rock closed out the half by successfully not allowing two ESU shots to reach Rerick to head into the break leading by one goal.
 
Slippery Rock sealed the victory in the second half by holding East Stroudsburg to just two shots, an attempt by Marcus Torgersson that was saved by Rerick in the 47th minute and another Torgersson attempt that was blocked by a Rock defender in the 72nd minute en route to the win.
 
With just 12 goals allowed this season, Slippery Rock continues to boast one of the top defenses in the region. Only California (8), Charleston (10) and Urbana (10) have allowed fewer goals in the Atlantic Region.
 
Slippery Rock steps out of PSAC play for a final time this season to host Le Moyne College 3 p.m. Tuesday at James Egli Field.