SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team posted its best result against a top-20 team in 11 years by forcing the 15^th-ranked Golden Knights of Gannon University to a 1-1 tie Wednesday at James Egli Field.
 
The Rock open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division play with a 0-0-1 start, holding at .500 with a 2-2-2 mark on the year. The Golden Knights were stymied for a second straight PSAC West matchup, going 0-0-2 inside the conference and seeing their overall record dip to 4-2-2.
 
In addition to SRU's best game against a top-20 opponent since its 3-2 PSAC Championship win over No. 13 Mercyhurst University in 2013, Wednesday's result against No. 15 Gannon went down as the highest-ranked win or tie in Kevin Wilhelm's head coaching career.
 
SRU needed a 56^th-minute goal from Luke Gildea to secure the draw, a strike that was assisted by Ignacio Rullan. Four shots – two of which were on goal – from Aitor Jorde was a game-high, while Gildea and Aashi Pandher each took three shots.
 
Rullan, Rasmus Fugl, Ryan Hanes, Will Harrigan, Arturo Pla Hernandis, Colton Spence and Shaun Spencer each took one shot. Adam Davies did not make a save in net while facing seven shots.
 
Rafa Hyde put the Golden Knights on the board with their first shot of the game, converting an assist from James Pool 5:47 into play for a 1-0 lead.
 
Slippery Rock won six corner kick opportunities in the opening 26 minutes but saw the turning point of the game come when Gannon went down a man from a 29^th-minute red card. Five shots and four more corners would come in the first half for SRU but without a goal to show for.
 
Gildea brought in a cross to the far post from Rullan 10:31 into the second half to knot the game at 1-1. That goal, which was the fifth of Gildea's career, forced Gannon to play defense for the remainder of the game as the Golden Knights took just two more shots on the day.
 
The Rock struggled to find an opportunity as good as their first but paced Gannon the rest of the way until the final whistle signaled the 1-1 outcome.
 
Slippery Rock's largest advantage in the match came in winning corner kick chances, finishing things up with a 14-0 lead. SRU also took leads in shots (17-7) and shots on goal (6-1) to the 90^th minute.
 
No one took more than one shot for GU with Hyde finding the team's only look on net. Andre Moraes held down the net for Gannon, particularly in the second half, concluding his performance with five saves.
 
The Rock will look to take their momentum on the road when they travel to California (Pa.) 1 p.m. Saturday for their next PSAC West fixture.





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