ERIE, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team fell on the road to Mercyhurst University, 1-0, on Saturday evening.
 
With the loss, Slippery Rock falls to 7-7-2 overall with a 4-4-0 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division. Mercyhurst clinched a PSAC Tournament berth with the victory, improving to 8-4-2 overall with a 5-2-1 mark in division play.
 
Despite the loss, SRU remains in third place in the PSAC Western Division standings with 12 points ahead of California University (Pa.) at nine points, Seton Hill University with seven points and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with four points this season.

At the end of the season, the top-three teams in both the PSAC West and PSAC East based on point total will advance to the conference tournament. 
 
The contest was largely a defensive battle, with The Rock defense setting the tone by turning away the first six shots by Mercyhurst including three saves by SRU goalkeeper Matt Hunsberger.
 
The Laker defense matched the effort of Slippery Rock, holding The Rock without a shot in the first half, sending the contest to halftime scoreless.
 
SRU carried its strong defensive effort into the second half, forcing wide another eight shots and four corner kick attempts by MU. Slippery Rock was able to add its first two shots of the contest, including a line shot by Brian McCarthy that was turned away by Laker keeper Martin Jarc in the 55th minute.
 
The Mercyhurst offense broke through the stout Rock defense when Mats Rohrken netted a pass from Henri Tophoven to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead in the 86th minute.
 
The score would ultimately end up being the game-winner as Slippery Rock was unable to strike on offense in the final four minutes.
 
Mercyhurst held the advantage over SRU in total shots (18-2) along with shots on goal (7-1) and corner kicks (11-0).
 
Hunsberger finished the evening with six saves and one goal allowed while Jarc added one save in the shutout victory for the Lakers.
 
Slippery Rock returns to action with hopes of clinching a PSAC Tournament berth when it travels to Pitt-Johnstown 1 p.m. Wednesday.


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