SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team fell to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, 2-1, at James Egli Field Wednesday afternoon.
 
With the loss, Slippery Rock falls to 4-5-2 overall with a 1-2-0 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division. Pitt-Johnstown improves to 2-7-1 with a 1-3-1 record in conference play with the win.
 
SRU was led on offense by Alejandro Fernandez who scored his fourth goal of the season with Brian McCarthy providing the assist.
 
The Slippery Rock offense opened the contest by recording three-straight shots, finally converting when Fernandez finished a cross from McCarthy to give SRU the early 1-0 advantage.
 
The Pitt-Johnstown defense would settle in following the score, turning away the next 12 Slippery Rock shots. SRU matched the Mountain Cat defensive effort, defending two UPJ shots to close out the half leading 1-0.
 
Pitt-Johnstown came out of halftime firing on offense. The Mountain Cats evened the score at 1-1 when Evan Ulrich provided the game-tying goal with Josh Briscoe providing the feed in the 53rd minute. 
 
UPJ continued to attack on offense, adding another three shots before converting to take the lead on a score by Chase Kuhn with Briscoe adding his second assist of the contest, giving Pitt-Johnstown the 2-1 advantage in the 67th minute.
 
The Rock defense stood the test following the goal, denying five-consecutive Mountain Cat shots to hold the one-goal deficit for SRU, but The Rock was unable to finish any of its final five shots on goal over the remainder of the game as UPJ held on the for the one-goal win. 

A Slippery Rock corner kick attempt was foiled by UPJ in the 88th minute in what was The Rock's final scoring opportunity. Pitt-Johnstown goalkeeper Jonathan Reboton finished with 15 saves on the afternoon. 
 
The Rock held advantages over UPJ in total shots (26-13) and shots on goal (16-6) while both teams finished with four corner kicks. 
 
SRU goalkeeper Matt Hunsberger ended the game with four saves and two goals allowed over 90 minutes played.
 
The Rock returns to action when it travels to Seton Hill University for a PSAC Western Division matchup 1:30 p.m. Saturday. 
 
GAME NOTES
• The 2-1 loss to Pitt-Johnstown is the first home loss for Slippery Rock this season, marking the longest SRU has gone without a home loss into a season since 2015.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: ROCK 1, UPJ 0 '12; Alejandro Fernandez (Brian McCarthy)
GOAL: UPJ 1, ROCK 1 '53; Evan Ulrich (Josh Briscoe)
GOAL: UPJ 2, ROCK 1 '67; Chase Kuhn (Josh Briscoe)


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