NORTH CANTON, Ohio – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team lost to Walsh University on the road, 2-1, Saturday evening.
With the loss, Slippery Rock falls to 1-2-1 overall while Walsh improves to 4-0-0 on the 2019 season.
Slippery Rock was led on offense by
Anthony Werth, who scored a penalty kick goal in the 61st minute to tie the score at 1-1.
Abdallah Bangura and
Ale Okuma each added two shots on goal with
Alejandro Fernandez adding two shots, one being on goal.
Defense was the story of the first half, The Rock recorded eight shots while the Cavaliers posted one shot. SRU had opportunities to push across the first score, but Walsh goalkeeper Ethan Burawa added six of his 7 saves in the opening 45 minutes.
The Walsh offense struck first coming out of halftime with Nathan Kelt scoring his first goal of 2019 on a cross from Dwight Van dyke to give the Cavaliers a 1-0 advantage at the 56:39 mark.
Slippery Rock responded right back with a Werth penalty kick goal at the 60:02 mark to tie the game at 1-1. The Rock recorded the next four shots, but all went just off target to keep the game tied heading into the 85th minute.
A cross from Cavalier forward Myles Cornwall was played by Van dyke into the back of the next to push the Walsh lead to 2-1 with just under six minutes remaining, proving to be the deciding goal in a Walsh victory.
The Rock finished winning the shot battle (12-10), shots on goal (8-4) and corner kicks (4-2) but were ultimately unable to secure a road victory over the Cavaliers.
SRU goalkeeper
Matt Hunsberger finished with two saves while facing four shots on goal.
Slippery Rock returns home for a non-conference match with the University of the District of Columbia 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at James Egli Field.
GAME NOTES
• The 2-1 loss to Walsh marks the first time since last season against Lake Erie College that Slippery Rock has registered more shots than its opponent and lost.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: WALSH 1, ROCK 0; Nathan Kett (Dwight Van dyke)
GOAL: ROCK 1, WALSH 1;
Anthony Werth (Penalty Kick)
GOAL: WALSH 2, ROCK 1; Dwight Van dyke (Myles Cornwall)
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