• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Nov. 5) – With two second-half goals, the California University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team advanced to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship game following a 3-1 win over Slippery Rock University on Wednesday at Roadman Park in the PSAC West Semifinals.

The Vulcans, who garnered a playoff berth and the won the regular-season divisional title on the final day of the regular season with a win over Slippery Rock (Nov. 1), are advancing to the PSAC Championship game for the first time since 2005. Cal U will now play Millersville University, the top seed in the PSAC East, for the conference championship on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Millersville.

“We knew this would be a difficult year with some season-ending injuries early on in the season,” said head coach Dennis Laskey. “The players stuck together and everyone worked to go the same direction.”

With the win over The Rock, the Vulcans improve to 12-7-2 overall and Slippery Rock falls to 13-6-1.

Cal U gained momentum early in the contest when senior Shakir McCoy (Huber Heights, Ohio/Tecumseh/Wayne) scored his eighth goal of the season off a header from junior Mike Luecke (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) in the 10th minute of the game. The Rock then evened the contest at the 17:28-mark with a goal by junior forward Jeremy Deighton, the team's leading scorer with 15 goals.

The two teams entered halftime tied at 1-1 before the Vulcans seized control of the game in the opening minutes of the second period. Sophomore Spencer Crider (Orrstown, Pa./Chambersburg) broke the tie with the eventual game-winning goal in the 52nd minute off assists from Luecke and senior Brian Braithwaite (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley). Crider has scored four goals this season on 13 attempts, including two game-winning goals.

Luecke, the reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Week, added an insurance goal in the 78th minute off an assist from McCoy. Luecke now leads the Vulcans and the PSAC with a career-high 18 goals and 48 points to rank among the top 15 in the nation in both categories.

Sophomore goalkeeper Derek Yobbi (South Park, Pa./South Park) earned his 10th victory of the season for Cal U, posting two saves on eight shot attempts.

Cal U held a 13-8 advantage in shots during the contest, while also posting the edge in corner kicks (5-4).

The Vulcans have won the last four meetings against The Rock, including all three games this season.

Cal U travels to face Millersville on Saturday, Nov. 8, in the PSAC Championship game, which is set for a 1 p.m. start in Millersville, Pa.