SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team dropped a close Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division match to Lock Haven University, 1-0, after the Bald Eagles tallied a 78^th-minute goal Wednesday at James Egli Field.
 
The Rock see their record move to 2-3-3 overall with their first PSAC West loss of the year putting their mark in conference play at 0-1-2. The Bald Eagles improved above .500 with a 5-4-1 record on the year that includes a 3-1 showing in the PSAC West.
 
The Rock were able to pace Lock Haven with a measured attack throughout the game, including a 10-3 difference in shots through the second half. Despite that, all Lock Haven needed to secure the three points in league play was a goal from Carter Rosno with 12:47 left in regulation.
 
Arturo Pla Hernandis led Slippery Rock with a game-high five shots, two of which were on target. Rasmus Fugl and Aitor Jorde both tallied three total shots, combining for three shots on goal with two from Fugl and one from Jorde.
 
SRU's offense also saw one shot come from each Aaron Finney, Gabin Lonjard, Ignacio Rullan and Jeroen Van Der Veen. Adam Davies made a pair of saves while facing eight shots.
 
Pla Hernandis inserted Slippery Rock's offense into the game as a leading threat with a curling shot that hit the crossbar 60 seconds in. Jorde took his first shot three minutes later after a corner kick but saw the attempt sail wide right.
 
Those were perhaps SRU's best two chances of the first half, a choppy 45-minute stretch of play broken up by a wide array of stoppages. Both teams saw few opportunities, mostly coming from counterattacks. With a 0-0 scoreline at halftime, shots were 5-5 and shots on goal were 2-2.
 
The Rock looked to regain their early-game momentum at the outset of the second half, taking six of the half's first seven shots. LHU goalkeeper Ethan Beck as well as the Bald Eagles' staunch defense continually turned Slippery Rock aside, fending off a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks through the second frame.
 
A punt from midfield by Connor Swope dropped in at the feet of Rosno in the 78^th minute, who looked up to see a 1-on-1 opportunity with Davies. Rosno was able to make a move that widened the net, finishing off the game-winning goal.
 
Slippery Rock saw a corner kick chance with 58 seconds left but could not gain the advantage in the box over Lock Haven. The Rock outshot the Bald Eagles, 15-8, also earning leads in shots on goal (6-3) and corner kicks (9-7).
 
Swope led Lock Haven's seven different shot-takers with two total attempts. Beck made six stops in net for the Bald Eagles, coming away with the shutout.
 
The Rock will take to James Egli Field once again 3 p.m. Saturday when they play their final non-conference game of the year by hosting Shepherd University.





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