SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team scored two goals in the final four minutes of regulation to force overtime in an eventual 2-2 tie against Walsh University Wednesday at James Egli Field.
 
The tie stretches The Rock's record to 1-0-2 while the Cavaliers move to 2-0-1. The tie also marks the first time Slippery Rock has gone unbeaten in its first three games of the season since 2013.
 
SRU appeared headed for its first loss of 2021 as Walsh held what appeared to be a safe two-goal lead heading into the waning moments of regulation. However, a mentally tough Rock team, which has proven to be comfortable in late-match situations, spoiled the Cavaliers' seemingly sure win.
 
The comeback began in the 87th minute when Ramses Minaya played a corner kick into the Walsh zone. Minaya's ball sailed through a pack of players and took a fortunate bounce for The Rock past WU goalkeeper Ethan Burawa and into the net to cut Walsh's lead to 2-1 with 2:23 left in regulation.
 
Slippery Rock continued to pressure the Cavaliers at a frantic pace over the remainder of the game and with just 53 seconds to play Alejandro Fernandez found Dan Schearer, who proceeded to beat Burawa for the game-tying goal to send SRU and Walsh into overtime tied at 2-2.
 
SRU put a pair of shots on goal over the two overtime periods, but an Anthony Gagliardi II shot in the 95th minute and a Nick Iagnemma attempt in the 109th minute were both saved. The Rock's stout defense surrendered just one shot to Walsh over both overtimes, a shot that was blocked at 102:30, as the two teams played to the tie.  
 
The goals by Minaya and Schearer were the first of the season for both as was Fernandez's assist. Goalkeeper Hossam Aly stopped four shots over the duration of Wednesday's game including a clutch save on a penalty kick by Walsh's Jake Cunningham in the first half.
 
Slippery Rock finished the match with commanding advantages in virtually every statistical category including total shots (25-11), shots on goal (11-6) and corner kicks (6-1).
 
Arturo Pla Hernandis took a team-high six attempts with Iagnemma (4), Minaya (3), Fernandez (2), Gagliardi II (2) and Alex Plimmer (3) all tallying mutli-shot games as well.
 
All four of Slippery Rock's goals this season have come in the second half of its contests, with three of the scores occurring in the 84th minute or later.
 
Cunningham and Dominic O'Connor accounted for Walsh's two goals while Burawa made nine saves.

Slippery Rock will look to push its unbeaten streak to four games when it hosts Daemen College 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Egli Field.
 
 

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