Slippery Rock men’s soccer scored four times in two games to bring them to one game below .500 on the season.
Following the slow start, The Rock finally got back into the win column by scoring three and defeating Pitt-Johnstown.
Arturo Pla Hernandis found his way on the scoresheet once again as he opened scoring for The Rock in the minute 19. This was just after Anson Portzline scored in the seventh minute to put Pitt-Johnstown ahead.
Hernandis had plenty of help from fellow international recruits as Ignacio Rullan and Aitor Jorde scored their first and third goals of the season.
Pitt-Johnstown would answer, but it was too little too late as The Rock claimed victory.
Following the strong performance against a PSAC foe, The White and Green settled for a draw against Shepherd University where Hernandis scored once again.
Hernandis continues to lead the team in goals as he now has six on the season. This total is already just two shy of his team-leading eight last season.
The secondary scoring has amped up significantly. As previously mentioned, Jorde is second on the squad with three goals. Rullan, Aashi Pandher, and Gabin Lonjard have also put in recent strong performances to secure them spots in the top five for team scoring in 2023.
While The White and Green started slow, their recent pick-up in play comes at the perfect time as PSAC play has just begun.
The tie to Shepherd will be the final non-conference game that the team plays this campaign.
The good stretch sees The Rock now placed third in PSAC standings just behind Mercyhurst and Gannon University.
Following their next match at Mercyhurst University, The Rock will begin a three-game homestand that commences with a battle against Gannon.
Gannon has opened their PSAC performance with two wins and no losses, which makes for an exciting duel as SRU hopes to take a big leap forward with a win against the rival.
Their road match against Mercyhurst is just as important if they hope to gain ground in their race for top of the conference. Mercyhurst and SRU are currently tied with a win and a loss in conference play thus far.
Regardless of the result against Mercyhurst, SRU will look for all the help they can get with an active hometown crowd when they return home to battle against Gannon.
