LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team overcame a two-goal deficit to pick up a critical 3-2 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division victory over Lock Haven University Wednesday on the road.
 
The win moves The Rock to 7-4-3 on the year with a 4-2-2 mark in the PSAC West. Importantly, Slippery Rock earns three points toward its conference total, tying Seton Hill University for third in the PSAC West with two games remaining in the regular season. The Bald Eagles are just one point ahead in the table, now 8-6-1 overall and 5-3 in league play.
 
SRU picked up a goal from Aitor Jorde in the 31^st minute to cut into Lock Haven's early 2-0 lead prior to benefitting from an Arturo Pla Hernandis brace with goals coming in the 67^th and 76^th minutes.
 
Jorde also recorded an assist with additional assists coming from Rasmus Fugl, Jimmy Irani and Gabin Lonjard.
 
Jorde and Pla Hernandis both tallied five shots apiece, while Pla Hernandis landed a game-high three shots on goal. Aashi Pandher totaled four shots for The Rock with Irani, Ignacio Rullan and Colton Spence each adding one look at net. Adam Davies made no saves in the win as the Bald Eagles fired just four total shots through the contest.
 
Lock Haven was strong early, converting its first shot in the 14^th minute on a strike by Connor Swope. Despite going down a man from a 21^st-minute red card, Lock Haven won a penalty kick in the 25^th minute. Danny Ogan slotted it past a narrowly missing Davies to lift LHU to a 2-0 advantage.
 
Slippery Rock cut the Bald Eagles' lead in half with a swift response just 5:12 later when Jorde punched in a cross from Fugl. The Rock threatened to tie the game up at 2-2 by outshooting Lock Haven through the remainder of the first half, 4-0 but had to settle for a one-goal deficit through 45 minutes.
 
SRU carried its momentum into the second half, taking the first six shots and finding the tying goal off the foot of Pla Hernandis in the 67^th minute. The Rock continued to pace the Bald Eagles, pulling ahead with a 3-2 lead on Pla Hernandis' second goal just nine minutes later.
 
Lock Haven did win a corner kick with 1:57 left in the game but saw the ball hop high of the net in its last offensive opportunity.
 
The Rock ended up holding Lock Haven to just two shots in each half, outshooting the Bald Eagles in total, 17-4. Slippery Rock also held a 5-2 lead in shots on goal, while the Bald Eagles took four of the match's six corner kicks. Swope led LHU with two shots, while Ethan Beck made a pair of saves in net.
 
SRU will play its final two games of the regular season at home, first welcoming California (Pa.) 12 p.m. Saturday to James Egli Field.





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