On Saturday, The Rock dropped a 1-0 contest to the Mercyhurst Lakers, and the loss broke Slippery Rock’s three game winning streak. The Rock (7-7-2, PSAC 4-4-0) was overpowered by the Lakers (8-4-2, PSAC 5-2-1) overall and only allowed the one goal. The loss to Mercyhurst was their first loss since Oct. 19, and their first goal allowed since then.
The only goal of the game didn’t come until the 85th minute, when Mercyhurst’s Mats Rohrken scored off a cross from Henri Tophoven. Although there was only one goal, the game was not short on action, as there were six yellow cards handed out in the game. Both teams received three cards, as The Rock’s Alejandro Fernandez was given the first one in the 26th minute. Mercyhurst received the next two cards, as Connor Wilkinson got a yellow card in the 36th minute and Hady Sarr was given a yellow in the 50th minute.
In the next six minutes, The Rock would be given two more cards, as Cory Olix was given a card the 53rd minute and Abdallah Bangura was given one in the 56th minute. The final card of the day was handed out to Mercyhurst’s Salvador Rang in the 70th minute. The Rock has now received 37 yellow cards this season, while their opponents have received 45.
The Rock was able to take two shots in the game, with both coming in the second half. Of those two shots, The Rock only managed to get one on goal. The Lakers took 18 shots, with the majority coming in the second half and they registered seven shots on target. Mercyhurst took 11 corners in the game and held The Rock to none. Although they took 11 corners, The Rock was able to stop them ten times and limited The Lakers to the one goal.
For The Rock, Fernandez and Brian McCarthy were the only players that took a shot. The Laker’s Wilkinson took seven shots and was able to get two on target and Sarr took five shots with three on goal. Rock goalkeeper Matt Hunsberger made six saves in the game, but would ultimately allow the winning goal with five minutes left in the game.
The Lakers lead the all-time series over The Rock 16-24-2, but Slippery Rock has had some success at home against Mercyhurst, compiling a 10-10-1 record including a 1-0 win earlier this season at home. The Rock will return to action on Wednesday against Pitt-Johnstown as they try to clinch their first playoff appearance since 2015.
