SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team lost 3-0 to Mercyhurst University in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament to conclude the 2019 season.
With the win, Mercyhurst improves to 10-5-2 overall and advances to take on Millersville University in the semifinal round of the PSAC Tournament on Friday.
Slippery Rock ends the 2019 season with an 8-9-2. The eight wins are the most victories for The Rock since 2015.
The eight wins also marked the second-consecutive season under head coach
Kevin Wilhelm that SRU had increased its win total. Slippery Rock also finished the regular season with a .500-win percentage for the first time since 2015.
The contest opened as a defensive stalemate, with The Rock defense turning away the first nine shots by the Lakers along with six corner kick attempts. Mercyhurst matched the effort of the Slippery Rock defense, allowing only two SRU shots in the first half, sending the contest to halftime scoreless.
The MU offense struck early in the second half when Henri Tophoven sent a Mario Castel pass to the back of the net. The score was originally called back due to an offside call, but was later overturned to break the scoreless tie and give Mercyhurst the 1-0 advantage in the 48th minute.
The Lakers continued to pressure the SRU defense following the score, recording four more shots and a corner kick attempt before Salvador Rang scored on a pass from Fabio Schortmann to extend the MU lead to 2-0 in the 82nd minute.
Mercyhurst secured a 3-0 victory when Salvatore Canzoneri scored in the 88th minute with Connor Wilkinson providing the assist.
Cory Olix and
Alejandro Fernandez lead the way for the SRU offense with each adding three total shots and one shot on goal apiece.
Brian McCarthy and
Sean Tinney rounded out the Slippery Rock offensive attack with one shot each. Rock goalkeeper
Matt Hunsberger turned in a solid seven-save performance in his final collegiate appearance.
Martin Jarc finished the afternoon with two saves in 90 clean minutes in goal for Mercyhurst.
Mercyhurst held the advantage over The Rock in total shots (18-9), shots on goal (10-2) and corner kick attempts (12-1).
The 2019 season ends with Slippery Rock clinching a PSAC Tournament spot for the first time since the 2015 season after being picked to finish fourth in the PSAC Western Division in this years preseason coaches poll.
To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official athletic communication accounts on Twitter (@Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics), Instagram (RockAthletics) and Snapchat (@RockAthletics).
