Rock men’s soccer clinched a playoff berth with 2-2 tie against Seton Hill University at James Egli Field earlier today.
The White and Green return to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament for the first time since 2019 after missing out by just one point in the standings last season.
Lock Haven University, currently at 15 points and with a game at California University (Pa.) at 6 p.m. today, could have leapfrogged the White and Green and knocked them out of playoffs completely with a win. The tie not only guarantees a playoff spot for SRU but also grants them home field advantage for their first PSAC Tournament game.
Resiliency was key for Slippery Rock in both halves playing in a win, or tie, to guarantee playoffs scenario.
Seton Hill got on the scoreboard first with a ninth-minute goal by Nils Heinrich assisted by Toby Dance. The score came just seconds after Rock goalie Adam Davies blocked a shot from Dance to preserve the tie.
The Griffins threatened another score with two shots around 20 minutes into the game, then another four minutes later, also saved by Davies.
The game remained quiet until the 36th minute when Aitor Jorde was able to guide a ball mishandled by Seton Hill’s goalkeeper into the net to achieve a 1-1 tie that would stand until the break.
The second half was a similar story but provided a little more drama for the fans and players alike.
Seton Hill’s Ron Klinger knocked in a free kick just in front of the net to put The Rock in danger of falling out of the playoffs late.
Ryan Hanes and Luke Gildea were not about to put their playoff future up to chance. Gildea found an open Hanes a few feet away from the net and made the pass. Hanes did not miss the opportunity and made the score 2-2 with little time remaining for a response.
Credit also goes to Rasmus Fugl as the goal might not have been had Fugl not fought between two defenders to keep possession and get the ball to Gildea moments before the equalizer.
Tristan Wilson received a red card after some aggression resulted in a Rock player getting knocked over. The Griffins had a chance at last-second redemption but nothing came to pass and the game ended 2-2.
Jorde finished the affair leading SRU in shots with four and shots on goal with three. Hanes’ goal came on his lone shot of the afternoon.
With the two-seed locked up, the White and Green will return to action in the PSAC Tournament on Monday at James Egli Field. The playoff tilt will either be a rematch with the Griffins or against Lock Haven, pending the result of their game today.
