WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team lost at West Chester University in a nail-biting match, 1-0. SRU had its chances tallying seven shots on goal, but WCU held on for the shutout victory.
The Golden Rams registered a goal in the 42nd minute nearing the end of the first half and Slippery Rock was unable to equalize in the second half despite putting four shots on target in the period.
In the first period,
Devin Hoffman nearly gave The Rock a 1-0 advantage in the 14th minute, however WCU goalkeeper Will Marshall made the stop.
Justin Minda almost made it 1-0 at 29:37, but Marshall made the stop.
At 36:09,
Hector Buchter looked to give SRU the lead with header. Unfortunately, Marshall was there to make the stop again.
In the closing minutes of the first period, at 41:14, West Chester's Andrew Slater scored off a cross into the center of the box from Nicholas Meola. WCU took its 1-0 lead into the break.
Rock almost tied the game at 80:00 when
Ameer Caprini headed the ball on target, but WCU goalkeeper James Wood made the save.
SRU's last chance to level the score was in the 87th minute when
Kenton Keeslar put a shot on target, but Wood recorded the save. WCU held on for the victory, 1-0.
The two teams combined for 17 shots on goal. For SRU, seven of their eight total shots in the game were on target.
With the loss, Slippery Rock drops to 6-9-2 overall and 4-5-1 in league games while West Chester improves to 10-2-3 overall and 7-1-2 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference contests.
Slippery Rock still has a chance to make the PSAC Tournament. SRU needs to win against Shippensburg next Saturday and has to overcome a five-goal difference it has with Seton Hill. Since The Rock and the Griffins tied earlier this season, goal differential in PSAC mandated matches is used as the second tiebreaker in determining seeds for the tournament.
Final: Slippery Rock 0, West Chester 1
Slippery Rock (6-9-2, 4-5-1 PSAC) at West Chester (10-2-3, 7-1-2 PSAC)
October 20, 2018
Rockwell Field | West Chester, Pa.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: ROCK 0, WCU 1; 41:14: Slater scored off a cross from Meola.
NOTES
- Hoffman, Buchter, Minda, Keeslar and Caprini each tallied shots on goal in the contest.
- Goalkeeper Matt Hunsberger registered a new career-high in saves with nine.
- It's the second time in two years that SRU has lost to West Chester, 1-0
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock will conclude its season with a senior day match against Shippensburg at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 27.
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