The Rockets showed why they sit atop the Region 5 standings by snuffing out those chances and holding on for a 3-1 win over the Dragons at War Memorial Field.

“We were one or two touches away,” Warren coach Denny Flatt said. “The effort was there.”

Wednesday’s match was a far cry from the first meeting between these teams. The Rockets (9-3 overall, 7-0 Region 5) were 8-2 winners over a banged up Dragons (7-4, 3-2) team in Slippery Rock Sept. 16.

“This was a much better showing than last time,” Warren assistant coach Mike Kiehl said.

Warren’s Tyler Gustafson (22) passes to Alex Nebinski (21) during the first half of a match against Slippery Rock at War Memorial Field, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. The Rockets defeated the Dragons, 3-1, to remain unbeaten in Region 5 play.

While still battling some injuries, most of the key contributors are back now and the difference was evident.

“We’re still fighting through some injuries,” Flatt said. “We had 10 guys who played 80 minutes of really intense soccer.”

Slippery Rock opened the scoring less than seven minutes in. The Rockets got a corner kick and Nathaniel Willison put in a header just over Warren keeper Ian Darling’s fingertips.

Ryan Davey nearly gave the Rockets a two goal lead at 15:50. He got the ball at center just outside the box and twisted a rising shot in. Darling was able to get his hand on it and push it over the crossbar.

Davey won the battle nine minutes later. He broke free down the right side off a turnover. Darling came out to challenge, but Davey got the shot off just before Darling could get fully in front.

Slippery Rock had another chance with just over 10 minutes to play in the half as Tyler Christy broke free down the right side. He fired, but Darling got a hand on it and the ball ricocheted off the post to keep it 2-0 at the half.

Both keepers had to make big saves in the opening minutes of the second half. With 26 minutes to go in the match, Darling made a pair of diving saves to keep it a 2-goal deficit.

With 21:38 to play, Alex Ferry came on in net to allow Darling to get some time at forward.

Two minutes later, the Dragons solved keeper Duncan McCoy.

Caleb Lindell brought the ball in the offensive zone down the right side. He fired a shot towards the far post and, though McCoy made the stop, he couldn’t corral the ball and JT Blum picked it up and pushed it in to make it 2-1.

“That gave us the momentum and confidence,” Lindell said.

The Dragons continued to apply pressure, but couldn’t get through the Rockets defense.

Slippery Rock capitalized on the agression when Kaleb Kuhn got a run down the left side. He dropped the ball back to Ian Balquist who fired far side past a diving Ferry to make it 3-1 with 11:05 to play.

“We played the second half 1-1,” Flatt said. “The momentum swung and that says a lot about the character of this team.”

Warren nearly cut the lead in half with a minute to play, but McCoy came up with a pair of 10-bell saves to close out the win.

“It’s a tough loss,” Lindell said. “But it’s uplifting. We’d definitely like to see them again.”

“This team detests losing,” Flatt added. “We always say the key is to peak at the right time and I think we’re getting there. I’m so proud of this team.”

Warren is back on the pitch at War Memorial Field Saturday for a match with Erie.