SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team rolled to a 7-0 victory Wednesday afternoon against Shepherd University at James Egli Field.
 
With the win, Slippery Rock improves to 1-1-1 to begin the season while Shepherd falls to 1-3-0.

SRU was led by Abdallah Bangura and Alejandro Fernandez. The pair scored two goals apiece while Luke Picchi, Ramses Minaya and Nick Iagnemma all tallied one goal each. Sean Tinney guided the offense with a career high two assists. 

Slippery Rock got off to a fast start on offense, recording three shots on goal in the first two minutes. The Rock converted on the third shot when Picchi scored on an assist from Tinney for his first goal on the 2019 campaign. 
 
Less than two minutes later, Fernandez netted the first goal of his collegiate career on a cross from Ale Okuma. The assist was Okuma's second of the season. 
 
The high-powered Rock offense reeled off the next ten shots, four being on goal, including back-to-back scores by Bangura in the 15th and 36th minute. The first goal came on a cross from Tinney and the second on a penalty kick when he beat Shepherd goalkeeper Jose Machado-Orellana to the right. 
 
In the 44th minute SRU took advantage of another penalty by Shepherd as Minaya scored the first goal of his collegiate career heading into halftime. 
 
Lightning would delay the start of the second half almost two hours, but it wouldn't delay a potent offensive attack from The Rock. SRU opened the final 45 minutes with three shots on goal, with the last finding the back of the net off the foot of Fernandez.
 
Slippery Rock capped off the game when Nick Sodini played a ball into the middle of the Shepherd zone to Iagnemma who then snuck a shot past new Rams goalkeeper Billy Wood for the games final score. 

Slippery Rock goalkeeper Matt Hunsberger added a save to his ledger in 45 clean minutes before being relieved by freshman Derek Hoffman to start the second half. Hoffman recorded a career-high four saves in what was his second appearance in goal for The Rock.
 
Adam Rice led the way on offense for the Rams by recording three shots on goal. Shepherds' goalkeeper duo of Machado-Orellana and Wood made four saves each in the losing effort.
 
Slippery Rock is back in action when it travels to Walsh University for a non-conference match 7:30 p.m. Saturday. 

GAME NOTES
• The seven goals scored by The Rock are the most they have scored in a game since Oct. 2015 at home against Pitt-Johnstown.
 
• SRU's 18 points are the most in a single game since producing the same amount against Seton Hilll in 2012.
 
• Slippery Rock's 24 shots are the eigth-most in a single-game since 2005.
 
• Bangura's five shots against Shepherd is tied for fifth most in a single-game by a Rock player since 2005. Tinney's two assists tie him for the fourth most in the past 14 years.

HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: ROCK 1, SHEP 0; 09:46: Luke Picchi (Sean Tinney)
GOAL: ROCK 2, SHEP 0; 11:02: Alejandro Fernandez (Ale Okuma)
GOAL: ROCK 3, SHEP 0; 14:15: Abdallah Bangura (Sean Tinney)
GOAL: ROCK 4, SHEP 0; 35:44: Abdallah Bangura (Penalty Kick)
GOAL: ROCK 5, SHEP 0; 43:21: Ramses Minaya (Penalty Kick)
GOAL: ROCK 6, SHEP 0; 49:51: Alejandro Fernandez (Unassisted)
GOAL: ROCK 7, SHEP 0; 70:12: Nick Iagnemma (Nick Sodini)


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