ERIE, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team took down Gannon University, 3-1, for the first time since 2015 in a key game for The Rock's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament hopes Wednesday at McConnell Family Stadium.
With the result, Slippery Rock improved to 4-5-6 overall with a 2-3-3 mark inside the PSAC West, while Gannon fell to 10-2-3 on the season and 6-1-1 in the division.
The Rock's victory ended the Golden Knights' 13-game unbeaten streak and was its first victory over a team receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll since the SRU's 2015 PSAC Tournament Championship Game victory over No. 21 Millersville University. Gannon was the third team in the receiving votes section when the national poll was released Tuesday.
With its victory, as well as California's (Pa.) 2-1 loss versus Seton Hill University, Slippery Rock now occupies the fourth and final PSAC Tournament spot from the Western Division in the live standings.
Boele Zwartele scored his fifth goal of the season, while
Kaden Reynolds grabbed his team-leading sixth goal of the campaign and
Tom Roantree found the back of the net for the second time in 2026.
Aashi Pandher dished out his team-leading seventh assist of the season, as Reynolds and Roantree also had one assist each.
Pandher led Slippery Rock with four shots, while Roantree (3), Reynolds (2) and
Gerard Lopez Marti (2) also took multiple shots for SRU.
Troy Nine made two saves in goal for The Rock as he picked up his fourth win of the season and the sixth of his career.
Slippery Rock opened the scoring in the 19
th minute on its second shot of the game. Roantree sent a pass over the top of the Gannon backline for Zwartele, who ran onto the ball and beat the Golden Knight goalkeeper on the bottom left side, giving SRU a 1-0 lead.
Just 11 minutes later, Pandher slid a pass through the Gannon defender outside the box, allowing Reynolds to run into the ball and finish the one-on-one chance against the goalkeeper, giving The Rock a 2-0 edge in a 30
th minute.
SRU capped off the first half with a third goal in the 33
rd minute. Reynolds took a shot from the edge of the box that struck the right post, but Roantree was in the right spot to jump on the rebound and head the ball into the open net.
Gannon turned up the pressure for the final 60 minutes and found a goal in the 66
th minute from Martin Guerra Esteban, but Slippery Rock closed out the final 24 minutes for a 3-1 victory.
The Golden Knights ended the contest with advantages in shots (16-13), saves (5-3) and corner kicks (8-2). Slippery Rock did close out the first 45 minutes with a 12-4 advantage in shots.
Slippery Rock is back in action as it celebrates Senior Day against Pitt-Johnstown noon Saturday at James Egli Field. Earlier this season, SRU defeated UPJ, 3-1, Oct. 10 at the Pitt-Johnstown Soccer Field.
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