SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Mo Kanani netted his first goal of 2019 in the 35th minute and The Rock defense pitched a shutout to secure a 1-0 victory for the Slippery Rock University men's soccer team over Mercyhurst University at James Egli Field Wednesday afternoon.
With the win, SRU improves to 5-6-2 overall with a 2-3-0 record in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division play. With the loss, Mercyhurst falls to 4-4-2 with a 2-2-1 mark in conference play.
The win also kept SRU in contention to earn a PSAC Tournament berth. Following Wednesday's results, SRU is fourth in the PSAC West standings with six points, one-point behind Mercyhurst and Seton Hill. The top three teams in the PSAC West and PSAC East standings at the conclusion of the regular season qualify for the conference tournament.
Defense was the story of the contest from the opening kick for both teams. The Rock defense played a stellar first half, defending all 12 Mercyhurst shots including nine saves by Slippery Rock goalkeeper
Matt Hunsberger.
The Lakers matched the defensive effort of The Rock, allowing only one shot through the first 34 minutes of the first half. SRU broke through the stout MU defense when Kanani corraled a loose ball in the center of the Lakers' zone before placing a shot past goalkeeper Martin Jarc in the 35th minute.
The Rock defense continued to shine in the second half, led by a stellar effort in goal from Hunsberger who added five more saves to his ledger en route to a career-high 14 saves against a potent Laker offense.
Mercyhurst recorded four shots and a corner kick attempt in the final seven minutes of the game, but all were turned away by the SRU defense as The Rock secured the one goal victory.
Along with the 14 save performance, Hunsberger added his fourth solo-shutout of 2019 in 90 clean minutes for The Rock.
Samuel Hillman added a team-high three shots for SRU while
Abdallah Bangura,
Brian McCarthy and Kanani each added two shots each.
Mercyhurst held the advantage in total shots (23-9) along with shots on goal (14-4) and corner kicks (6-3).
Slippery Rock returns to the pitch when it hosts Seton Hill University for a PSAC West match at James Egli Field 2 p.m. Saturday.
GAME NOTES
• The Slippery Rock defense has recorded five shutout victories this season, the most through 13 games for a Rock men's soccer team since 2013.
• The win marks the earliest SRU has recorded its fifth win in a season since 2015.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: ROCK 1, HURST 0 '35;
Mo Kanani (Unassisted)
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