SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Mo Kanani scored his third-straight game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory for the Slippery Rock University men's soccer team over California University (Pa.) at James Egli Field Wednesday afternoon. 

With the win, SRU improves to 7-6-2 overall with a 4-3-0 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division. California falls to 2-7-3 overall with a 1-3-3 mark in division play.
 
After defeating the Vulcans, The Rock now has 12 points on the season, one-point behind Mercyhurst University for second-place in the division standings.
 
At the end of the season, the top-three teams based on point total in both the PSAC West and PSAC East will advance to the conference tournament.
 
The contest opened similar to the last three games for Slippery Rock, a defensive battle with neither team yielding an inch of dirt. The Vulcan's defense turned away all five SRU shots in the first half. The Rock defense matched the effort of the Vulcans, allowing only four shots to California in the first half, forcing two wide while SRU goalkeeper Matt Hunsberger added two saves, sending the game to halftime scoreless.
 
The Slippery Rock offense opened the second half with a bang, recording two shots and two corner kick attempts before ultimately converting on the third shot when Kanani headed home a corner kick pass from Brian McCarthy to give SRU the 1-0 advantage.
 
The SRU defense would take over the game following the score, allowing only one Cal U. shot in the second-half which was turned away by Hunsberger.
 
A corner kick attempt by the Vulcans in the 87th minute was successfully cleared by SRU, securing the 1-0 conference victory for Slippery Rock on a rain-soaked James Egli Field.
 
Slippery Rock held advantages over California in total shots (12-5), shots on goal (5-3) and corner kicks (5-1).

All three of Kanani's goals this season have been game-winning scores coming against California, Mercyhurst and Seton Hill. McCarthy's assist was his team-leading fourth of the season. 
 
Alejandro Fernandez set a new career-high with five total shots while Abdallah Bangura was second for SRU with two shots on the afternoon.
 
Kanani, the reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Week, joined Fernandez as the only Rock men's soccer player this season to score in three-straight games.

Hunsberger, the reigning PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week, finished with three saves en route to his third-consecutive shutout victory.
 
Slippery Rock returns to action when it travels to Mercyhurst for a PSAC West contest 7:30 p.m. Saturday with second-place in the division standings on the line.
 
GAME NOTES
• The Rock now has a winning record at 7-6-2 for the first time since having a 4-3-1 record on Oct. 2. SRU's seven wins are the most it has recorded since winning 14 games in 2015.
 
• Slippery Rock has won three-straight conference games for the first time since 2013.
 
• SRU has won three-straight one-goal games after previously having a 1-5-2 record in games decided by one goal or less.

• Of Kanani's three-game winning goals this season, McCarthy has assisted on two of them. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: ROCK 1, CAL 0 '60; Mo Kanani (Brian McCarthy)


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