SLIPPERY ROCK — With only a few minutes remaining, Slippery Rock was a two-point conversion away from pulling within one score in its home matchup with General McLane Friday night. So close to being close.

Much of the night felt the same.

There are two key attributions that spanned the game creating this atmosphere. The Lancers consistently responded to adversity with a defensive stand or a long offensive drive. Conversely, The Rockets fought to always keep the game one or two big plays away in a 27-17 loss.

“I liked the efforts and the never-quit attitude,” Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz said.

It didn’t hurt that senior quarterback Eli Anderson was no stranger to electric and explosive plays. He finished the game with over 200 passing yards, 101 rushing yards and a touchdown.

His Lancers counterpart, Isaac Zietz, shared similar success, compiling over 250 total purpose yards and two touchdowns. Zietz opened the scoring with a 21-yard toss thrown with beautiful touch to Jacob Zietz in the right side of the end zone.

The Rockets struck back in an unusual way, as Cade Grossman, Gavyn McDougall and Ian Fair crashed through the Lancers’ offensive line, causing a safety. The two-point score was followed up by a 23-yard field goal by Zach Lasko to bring the game within two at half.

That’s when the Lancers started to pull away, scoring three touchdowns on six drives in the second half.

“A lot of young guys stepped up,” McCorcmick said. “Whenever you have a lot of young guys you never know about the leadership.”

Slippery Rock would score two second half touchdowns, both followed by failed two-point conversions, to keep the deficit at an attainable number up until the final plays.

Despite having at least a touchdown lead for much of the game, The Lancers weren’t impervious to mistakes. Slippery Rock forced them into a safety and three turnovers including two first half interceptions. It was General McLane’s response to the adversity that allowed them to hold a steady lead.

“We had two interceptions and a fumbled snap, but our defense stepped up,” General McLane coach Marshall McCormick said. “It’s great to see a young team show leadership through adversity.”

The Rockets were never way out of the game, but their head coach is aware of a few adjustments that could’ve kept the game closer or even given Slippery Rock a lead.

“We’ve just got to get more physical and we’ve got to make better decisions. Coaches, players, the whole gambit,” Wendereusz said.

The Lancers got one final defensive statement to maintain a two-score lead on a the Rockets’ late two-point attempt. Had the conversion been successful, it would’ve brought the score to 27-19, meaning Slippery Rock would’ve been an onside kick away from a potential overtime-forcing drive.

“We make the two-point conversion, and you never know what happens. Crazier things have happened,” Wendereusz said.

General McLane 7 0 14 6 — 27

Slippery Rock 2 3 6 6 —17

GM - Jacob Zietz, 21 pass from Isaac Zietz (Cooper Robson kick)

SR - Safety, tackle in end zone

SR - Zach Lasko, 23 field goal

GM - Jared Corwin, 15 pass from Isaac Zietz (Robson kick)

GM - Ian Salisbury, 4 run (Robson kick)

SR - Owen Long, 2 run (pass failed)

GM - Magnus Lloyd, 1 run (kick failed)

SR - Sam Schwartz, 2 pass from Eli Anderson (run failed)

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Slippery Rock, Sam Schwartz 7-10, Owen Long 8-22, Eli Anderson 15-101, Aiden Corace 4-7, Rico Esquivel 1-0. General McLane: Magnus Lloyd 12-70, Cohen Beachly 5-14, Isaac Zietz 2-9, Ian Salisbury 6-55.

Passing: Slippery Rock, Eli Anderson 22-33-212-0. General McLane: Isaac Zietz 12-19-180-2.

Receiving: Slippery Rock, Owen Long 5-25, Cooper Glass 5-59, Aiden Corace 5-43, Sam Schwartz 5-33, Douglas Popovec 2-52. General McLane: Jacob Zietz 5-77, Beachly 1-13, Jared Corwin 4-59, Justin Burgos 1-31, Cooper Robson 1-0.