SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team fell, 2-1, at home to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division rival Mercyhurst University in overtime Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
With the loss The Rock falls to 5-9-2 overall and 2-6-0 in the PSAC West. Saturday's loss also eliminates The Rock from PSAC Tournament contention. Mercyhurst improves to 10-3-2 overall and 5-1-2 in the division with the win.
 
Slippery Rock was led on offense by Alejandro Fernandez, who scored his fourth goal of the season and what would be The Rock's lone goal of the contest. Brian McCarthy assisted on the goal for his fourth assist of the season. The offensive attack was rounded out by Mo Kanani who also landed a shot on goal for SRU.
 
Goalkeeper Hossam Aly was solid for The Rock as he faced constant pressure throughout Saturday's game, finishing with three saves in 99:25.
 
The Rock got off to a quick start at 5:51 when McCarthy played a free kick perfectly into Fernandez, who in turn headed the pass out of Laker goalkeeper Jonathan Gomes' reach and into the back of the net.
 
Following the goal, Slippery Rock shifted into a defense heavy formation that aided in the stop of six Laker shots to maintain its 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
 
Coming out of the break, at 53:49 Mercyhurst was awarded a penalty kick, leading to Sydney Warden placing a shot past Aly to even the score at 1-1. Mercyhurst continued it offensive charge following the goal, taking the remaining nine shots of the half that were all successfully kept out of the net by The Rock defense and Aly to send the game into overtime.
 
After a back-and-forth start to overtime, the game appeared headed to a second 10-minute period. However, with just 35 seconds left in the first 10 minutes of extra time, Tom Barry collected a loose ball in front of The Rock's goal and was able to chip the game-winning goal past Aly.
 
For the game, Mercyhurst held advantages over The Rock in total shots (18-3), shots on goal (5-2) and corner kicks (7-4).
 
Slippery Rock hosts the University of Pitt-Johnstown in its final home match of the season 1 p.m. Nov. 3 at James Egli Field. SRU defeated the Mountain Cats 6-2 on the road earlier in the season.



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