LATROBE, Pa. (Oct. 22) – The Saint Vincent men's soccer team's 2022 home finale was spoiled by Presidents' Athletic Conference-leading Grove City, with the Wolverines winning 3-0 on a sun-splashed UPMC Field.
 
The loss drops the Bearcats to 5-8-4 overall and 2-4-3 in the PAC, while Grove City improved to 11-5 overall and a perfect 9-0 in league play with its eighth straight victory.
 
The Wolverines went on the attack from the start, with nine shots and eight corner kicks over the opening 20 minutes of play. Saint Vincent goalkeeper Shane Piper made six saves over the span.
 
Grove City eventually broke through in the 23rd minute when Sam Belitz broke free from the Bearcat defense and buried a long lead pass from Clay Meredith.
 
Play would even out over the next several minutes, but the Wolverines would end the half on another offensive flurry, taking a 2-0 lead when a bouncing ball deflected off of Lance Lenosky and into the cage with 5:54 left in the half.
 
Grove City continued to control possession throughout the second frame, adding its third goal on a penalty kick by Jordan Rebsamen with 28:54 remaining in regulation.
 
The Bearcats recorded five shots in the second half but were kept at bay by the Grove City defense, which dealt SVC its third straight shutout loss.
 
Making his final career start at UPMC Field, Piper recorded a season-high 11 saves for the Bearcats in 88 minutes of action. Grove City ended the day with a 29-6 advantage in shots, with Alexander Cruz pacing SVC with three attempts.
 
Prior to the match, the Saint Vincent senior trio of Piper, Sean Knipp and Joshua Canty were recognized for their careers in the green and gold.
 
Saint Vincent will be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 25, closing out the 2022 season with a 7:30 p.m. match at Chatham University.