SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team battled with Mercyhurst University for a 2-1 victory Wednesday afternoon at James Egli Field. Anthony Werth tallied one of the scores while goalkeeper Matt Hunsberger made seven saves in net for The Rock.
 
Werth registered a goal in the 18th minute and then scored again on an own goal by Mercyhurst in the second period. The Lakers answered back in the 59th minute and looked to tie the game late in the contest, but Hunsberger made two huge saves down the stretch and The Rock held on for the win.
 
In the 18th minute, SRU set up for a penalty kick. Cory Olix sent one into the box that Werth chipped over the head of Mercyhurst's goalkeeper and into the net for the score.
 
The Lakers nearly tied the game toward the end of the first period when Henri Tophoven sent a corner into the box that Connor Wilkinson fired on target, but it was blocked, and SRU took its 1-0 lead into the break.
 
Slippery Rock was threatening in the 53rd minute when Kenton Keeslar put a shot on target, but MU's goalkeeper Martin Jarc made the save.
 
Just moments later, SRU made a run on the far side of the field, and Connor Jobe sent a ball into the box that was kicked into the net by a Mercyhurst defender to give SRU a 2-0 lead on the own goal.
 
The Lakers looked to get on the board in the 80th minute when SRU could not clear the ball out of danger. Wilkinson then played one past Hunsberger for the score and cut the deficit to one.
 
Mercyhurst almost tied the game in the final minute when Ian Harris sent a shot on net, but Hunsberger made the save. Harris then shot one again, but Hunsberger made the stop, and SRU held on for the victory, 2-1.
 
With the win, Slippery Rock improves to 6-8-2 overall and 4-4-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic conference play, while Mercyhurst falls to 6-6-2 overall and 3-4-2 in PSAC games.
 
Final: Slippery Rock 2, Mercyhurst 1
Slippery Rock (6-8-2, 4-4-1 PSAC) vs. Mercyhurst (6-6-2, 3-4-2 PSAC)
October 17, 2018
James Egli Field  |  Slippery Rock, Pa.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: ROCK 1, HURST 0; 17:46: Olix played a corner kick pass into the box that Werth finished in the net.
GOAL: ROCK 2, HURST 0; 58:58: Mercyhurst own goal.
GOAL: ROCK 2, HURST 1; 79:09: Bad clear by Slippery Rock played into box and finished by Wilkinson.   
 
NOTES

• Slippery Rock is now tied for sixth in the PSAC standings with Seton Hill at 13 points apiece. If the season ended now, since The Rock and the Griffins tied earlier this year, Seton Hill would qualify for the PSAC Tournament over The Rock due to goal differential in PSAC mandated matches, which is the second tiebreaker in determining tournament qualifiers.
• SRU's game at West Chester Saturday could prove to be huge for The Rock's chances to make the Tournament.
• Werth's goal Wednesday was his first of 2018 and fourth of his SRU career.
• Olix recorded his first assist of 2018.
• Hunsberger matched his career-high in saves seven. He's tallied seven saves four times this season.

 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock will play at West Chester 12 p.m. Saturday on the road.

 
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