SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team began its season-long three-game homestand with a 7-1 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division loss to No. 10 Gannon University Wednesday at James Egli Field.
 
The conference loss drops The Rock's record to 2-5-4 overall and 1-3-0 inside the PSAC West while the nationally ranked Golden Knights remain undefeated at 11-0-1 overall and 4-0-0 in league contests.
 
Slippery Rock was led by Arturo Pla Hernandis, who netted his team-high seventh goal of the season while totaling three total shots. Pla Hernandis has now scored three goals over The Rock's last four games.
 
Jeroen Van Der Veen set up SRU's goal for what was the sophomore's first point in a Rock uniform. Van Der Veen also put one shot on target.
 
Aitor Jorde matched Pla Hernandis with team-high honors in shots with three as well, one of which was on goal. Luke Gildea, Ignacio Rullan, Aashi Pandher, Ryan Hanes and Nate Stalter rounded out SRU's leaders with one shot apiece.
 
Following a back-and-forth opening 25 minutes of physical play, the Golden Knights took a lead they would never relinquish by scoring three unanswered goals beginning with back-to-back scores in the span of 23 seconds in the 27th minute followed by another tally at 41:51.
 
Slippery Rock avoided the shutout in the 43rd minute when Van Der Veen played a great pass from 60 yards out into Pla Hernandis who in turn received the pass and chipped a shot over Samuel Alarcon's head to make it a 3-1 game heading into the halftime break.
 
However, Gannon went on to score four more goals over the final 45 minutes of regulation while successfully clearing nine Rock corners and defending seven shot attempts to close out the 7-1 win.
 
Goalkeeper Adam Davies played the first 69:51 of Wednesday's game and made three saves while allowing six goals before giving way to Duncan McCoy, who played the remainder of regulation with one goal surrendered.
 
Gannon ended the game holding advantages over The Rock in total shots (14-12) and shots on goal (10-6) while SRU held a 10-5 edge in corners.
 
Sverre Orten scored two goals and assisted on two others for a six-point day to lead GU.
 
Slippery Rock returns to competition when it hosts Seton Hill University 1 p.m. Saturday at Egli Field. SRU is 2-2-1 when playing at home in 2023.




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