SLIPPERY ROCK Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team finished its 2021 home schedule with a 4-1 victory over the University of Pitt-Johnstown Wednesday at James Egli Field.
 
The win improves SRU's record to 6-9-2 overall and 3-6-0 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division while UPJ falls to 1-11-2 overall and 0-8-1 in the division. The six goals mark The Rock's highest goal output at James Egli Field for the 2021 season.
 
The Rock's scoring efforts were compiled off the feet of Anthony Gagliardi II, Mo Kanani, Arturo Pla Hernandis and Joey Moeller each with a goal. Joe Skillicorn provided a pair of assists while Samuel Hillman added an assist as well.
 
Goalkeeper Derek Hoffman made five saves while allowing just one goal through 82 minutes to earn the victory while Duncan McCoy made his collegiate debut, collecting two saves without allowing a goal.
 
The Rock got off to a quick start just eight minutes into the first half when Hillman sent a long ball towards the box that found the head of Pla Hernandis to give SRU the early lead. Pla Hernandis' goal was his fourth of the year.
 
Slippery Rock continued the offensive attack in the 33rd minute when Moeller cleaned up a saved shot taken by Skillicorn for what was his second score of the season. Quickly to follow at 38:18 was Gagliardi II who beat a pair of UPJ defenders en route to his first collegiate goal which put The Rock up 3-0 going into halftime.
 
Coming out of the break, SRU would be awarded a corner kick in the 48th minute that Skillicorn placed perfectly to the head of Kanani, stretching The Rock's lead to 4-0, on the senior's sixth goal of the season.
 
UPJ answered back with a goal of their own at 65:01 when Adan Cabrera-Perez sent a sailing free kick over the head of Hoffman and into the net to avoid the shutout.
 
The Slippery Rock defense held tough for the remaining 25 minutes of play successfully defending Pitt-Johnstown's remaining six shot attempts including a key team save made by Dan Schearer.
 
For the game, SRU held advantages in total shots (19-11), shots on goal (10-9) and corner kicks (4-3).
 
Slippery Rock finishes the 2021 season on the road at Gannon University for a PSAC West matchup 3:30 p.m. Saturday.