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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team returns home to open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division play against California University (Pa.) 1 p.m. Wednesday at James Egli Field.
 
COVID-19 FAN INFORMATION
• Fans should not attend any events if you are experiencing any symptoms or feeling ill.
• Masks are REQUIRED inside all buildings on the SRU campus, regardless of vaccination status.
• Fans are encouraged, but not currently required, to wear masks at SRU outdoor events.
• Fans are encouraged to social distance when possible at events.
 
WATCH ON YOUR TV - "ROCK ATHLETICS DIGITAL NETWORK" APPS
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game live and on-demand for free on the Rock Athletics Digital Network, created and operated by the SRU athletic communication office.
 
• Search for Rock Athletics Digital Network in the app stores on Amazon Fire TV, Apple RV, Roku and Android TV devices. The streaming web player linked above will also integrate with Chrome Cast devices to allow viewers to cast the game to those devices.
 
MATCH EIGHT DETAILS
Opponent: California University (Pa.)
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 29 – 1 p.m.
Location: James Egli Field
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: Tied 21-21-3
Last Played: Oct. 30, 2019 (Rock won 1-0)
 
LAST MEETING
Slippery Rock won 1-0 on Oct. 30, 2019 when Mo Kanani netted his third straight game-winning goal of the 2019 season, from a cross by Brian McCarthy.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Rock and the Vulcans are tied 21-21-3 in the all-time series. Slippery Rock has remained undefeated in the last nine meetings with Cal U and has won the eight of those nine matches with the last four being consecutive shutout victories.
 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
Overall Record: 3-2-2
PSAC West Record: 0-0-0
PSAC West Standings: Tied for second
Home Record: 1-1-2
Away Record: 2-1-0
Streak: W1
Last Five Matches: 2-2-1
Head Coach: Kevin Wilhelm | Fourth year at SRU (17-21-6)
 
SCOUTING THE ROCK
LAST TIME OUT: Slippery Rock claimed a 2-0 shutout victory over Shepherd University on the road Sept. 25. Joey Moeller scored his first goal of the season while Kanani collected his second of the year. Goalkeeper Hossam Aly made three saves while allowing no goals.
 
HOMESTAND: Since Wilhelm's inaugural season in 2018, The Rock has tallied a 7-4-0 (.556) record when hosting conference matches at Egli Field along with outscoring opponents 15-12 with five matches being shutouts.
 
CONFERENCE OPENERS: A win or tie against Cal U will mark the seventh consecutive PSAC West opener that The Rock has either won or tied (5-0-1). The lone draw over that stretch was a 2-2 tie at Lock Haven in 2017. 
 
ACROSS THE PSAC WEST: Slippery Rock begins the week ranked fourth in the PSAC in opponent scoring average (1.29), second in corners (32) and second in total shots (96).
 
TOTAL OFFENSE: The SRU offense is led by Alejandro Fernandez with seven points on two goals and three assists, Ramses Minaya who has five points on two goals and one assist and Kanani with his four points on two goals. Four other Slippery Rock players have accounted for a goal this season including Moeller, Luke Gildea, Alex Plimmer and Dan Schearer.
 
HELP EM OUT: Along with Fernandez's and Minaya's assists, McCarthy and Anthony Gagliardi II have made a mark as facilitators with two assists apiece.
 
KEEPER COUNT: In seven starts, Aly has collected 28 saves with a .800 save percentage and a 0.98 goals against average. He's currently first in the conference in shutout victories with three while ranking second in the PSAC in saves and third in GAA. Backup Derek Hoffman has appeared in one game, making two saves while allowing two goals.
 
AGAINST CAL U: In previous meetings with the Vulcans, Kanani has collected a goal while McCarthy and Minaya have both produced assists in shutout victories.
 
THIS WEEK IN ROCK HISTORY
Sept. 26, 1976 - Paul Richards makes 19 saves vs. Grove City.
Sept. 28, 1972 - Wayne Neveling makes 20 saves against Pitt-Johnstown.
Sept. 28, 1976 - SRU scores 12 goals against Geneva.
Sept. 29, 1979 - Gerry Hendershot totals 12 points on 6 goals vs. Edinboro.
Sept. 30, 1972 - John Wheeler makes 25 saves vs. Alliance.
Sept. 30, 2006 - Jeremy Deighton scores three at Shippensburg.
Sept. 30 ,2009 - Jeremy Deighton scores two goals in one minute in 3-0 win vs. Lock Haven.
 
NEXT FIVE GAMES
Oct. 6 (3:30 p.m.) vs Gannon
Oct. 9 (2 p.m.) at Shippensburg
Oct. 13 (1:30 p.m.) at Pitt-Johnstown
Oct. 16 (12 p.m.) vs Seton Hill
Oct. 20 (6:30 p.m.) at Mercyhurst
 
CALIFORNIA (PA) PRIMER
Overall Record: 1-4-1
PSAC West Record: 1-0-0
PSAC West Standings: First
Home Record: 0-2-1
Away Record: 1-2-0
Streak: W1
Last Five Matches: 1-3-1
Head Coach: Emedin Sabic | Ninth year at Cal U (43-67-13)
 
SCOUTING THE VULCANS
Last time out: The Vulcans claimed a 5-0 shutout victory over Pitt-Johnstown, in its first PSAC West matchup of the season.
 
Cal is led on offense by a trio of players including Zach Vanek who has the season high two goals on the year followed by Jake Nebinski and Cullin Woytovich who both have tallied a goal and pair of assists.
 
In six starts, goalkeeper Trevor Zabilowicz has made 22 saves with a .579 save percentage and a 2.57 GAA.
 
UP NEXT
The Rock remains home for another PSAC West face off against Gannon University at James Egli Field 3:30 Oct. 6.




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