SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Last season, the Warren and Slippery Rock boys soccer teams played a pair of evenly contested matches.

Their first meeting of 2019 was much different, however.

The Rock’s Kaleb Kuhn recorded a hat trick, helping lead the Rockets to an impressive 8-2 win over the Dragons.

“We didn’t play well,” said Warren coach Denny Flatt. “We came out sleeping and they took advantage of it. The better team won tonight.”

Ian Balquist scored a pair for Slippery Rock, while Tyler Christy, Nick Kingerski and Riley Lewis each scored as well.

The Dragons (3-2 overall, 1-1 Region 5), who trailed 4-1 at halftime, got goals from John Page and Jack Darling, with Caleb Lindell adding an assist.

The goal for Darling was the first of his varsity career.

Ian Darling and Alex Ferry once again shared the goalkeeping duties for the Dragons, while Duncan McCoy got the victory in net for the Rockets (2-3, 2-0).

“I thought we played much better in the second half, but you can’t spot a team like that,” noted Flatt.

The Dragons have another key Region 5 battle on Wednesday when they host Bradford.

JV: Slippery Rock 3, Warren 0

The Dragons fought hard in the JV game, but came out on the short end of a 3-0 decision.

“Slippery Rock is a good squad,” noted coach Chris Darling. “We played hard and the kids continue to get better. We’ll get back to practice and continue to get better.”

Ferry and Will Nebinski combined on the goalkeeping duties. Darling also noted the strong play of Ethan Best, Holden Creal and Kohle Lyon.