SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team rallied to a 2-1 win over the University of Findlay in its home-opener Saturday at James Egli Field.
The non-conference win improves The Rock's record to 1-1 overall to open the season while Findlay moves to an identical 1-1 mark overall. Slippery Rock now holds a 45-28-7 all-time record in home-openers. SRU is also now 6-2-3 mark when hosting non-conference matches at James Egli Field under head coach
Kevin Wilhelm.
SRU's scoring efforts were led by
Alex Plimmer and
Arturo Pla Hernandis each with one unassisted goal. Both netted their first score of the season.
Goalkeeper
Hossam Aly had a strong showing making eight saves and allowing just one goal over 90 minutes played.
The Rock got off to an early lead when Plimmer collected a long through ball before proceeding to beat a Findlay defender and sailing a shot past Oiler goalkeeper Andrew Boulton just four minutes into the first half.
After a solid defensive stand from SRU, the Oilers were eventually able to pull the score even, with less than 14 minutes left in the first half when Bjoern Gilles capitalized on a penalty kick that was placed just out of the reach of Aly. The contest entered another defensive battle between The Rock and Findlay resulting in a 1-1 draw at halftime.
Coming out of the break, Slippery Rock was awarded a penalty kick eight minutes into the period. Pla Hernandis sent a shot to low left that Boulton was able to deflect, but Pla Hernandis collected the deflection and skillfully headed it home giving The Rock a one-goal advantage once again.
The Oilers' offense continued to search for a game tying goal with its best chances coming from three corner kick attempts in addition to controlling possession for a large portion of the remainder of the second half.
However, the Slippery Rock defense refused to waver with Aly making six of his eight total saves in the last 37 minutes of the contest while the rest of the defense cleared numerous Findlay attempts on the way to a 2-1 SRU victory.
Pla Hernandis ended the contest with a team-leading two shots with Plimmer and Sam Hillman each tallying one attempt as well.
For the game, Findlay held advantages in total shots (21-4), shots on goal (9-3) and corner kicks (8-2) while Boulton made one save while allowing two goals.
Slippery Rock continues non-conference competition when it travels to Shippensburg University 2 p.m. Aug. 31.
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