For the first time since 1974, The Slippery Rock men's soccer team captured the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoff championship Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 win over hosting California.
Gary Saunders and Jeff Hamley each scored a goal for SRU (12-7-2) as The Rock took a 2-0 lead into intermission.
Saunders broke the scoreless draw in the 21st minute when he collected a loose ball in the goalmouth and knocked it into the net for his team-leading seventh score of the season.
Senior Dave Keller, who was named the game MVP for his effort in leading The Rock defense, and Chris Byers were each credited with an assist on the goal.
Less than two minutes later, Hamley took a free kick from near midfield. The ball sailed in the windy conditions and got by Cal keeper Eric Greaves for Hamley's first goal of the season and a 2-0 Rock lead.
That lead held up through an intermission that was extended by approximately 40 minutes due to lightning in the area and a valiant comeback effort by the hosts.
California's Pedro Palladino broke the shutout with just over 15 minutes remaining in regulation. Palladino played give-and-go with junior John Pazehoski and was able to find the back of the net with his fourth goal of the season.
The Vulcans managed just nine shots in the match. Chris Cook recorded four saves for The Rock, which managed to get off only seven shots in the game.
The Rock had not earned a PSAC playoff berth since 1985.
Slippery Rock finished second behind California in the PSAC regular-season competition but recorded two victories in three head-to-head meetings this fall.
The Vulcans (14-8), which won the regular-season crown for the fourth time in six years, also lost in the PSAC championship match for the fourth time in the same span. California, which tied the team record for most wins in a season with Wednesday's semifinal overtime win against West Chester, suffered its other three championship losses to East Stroudsburg (2000, 2001 and 2003).
SCORING SUMMARY:
GOAL Time Team Goal Scorer Assists
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1. 20:56 ROCK-M Gary Saunders Dave Keller
2. 22:47 ROCK-M Jeff Hamley (unassisted)
3. 74:47 CAL-M Pedro Palladino John Pazehoski
SRU - Chris Cook 90:00 1 GA, 4 Saves
CAL - Eric Greaves 90:00 2 GA, 3 Saves
Shots: SRU 7 CAL 9
Corners: SRU 2, CAL 6