Box Score (HTML)
 
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team began its 2015 season on a high note Thursday by defeating Malone University, 2-1, in non-conference play at James Egli Field.
 
Slippery Rock (1-0) earned the win thanks in part to goals by senior defender Ryan Lutke and junior forward Matt Sangermano. Lutke's score was his first since the 2013 season.
 
The Rock held a commanding 12-4 advantage in total shots and a 8-3 edge in shots on goal. The SRU defense successfully fended off six Malone (0-1) corners to preserve the one-goal victory.
 
The Pioneers had the first real scoring chance of the game five minutes into the contest, but Sam Tonelli's header ultimately bounced harmlessly off the post. The turning point of the first half occurred in the 23rd minute when senior forward Peter Boylan drew a foul which resulted in The Rock being awarded a penalty kick that Lutke would smoothly place in the back of the net past Malone goalie Jon Crabbs to put Slippery Rock up 1-0.
 
SRU took its one-goal advantage into halftime, which was extended 10 minutes due to lightning in the area, before coming out as the aggressors to start the second period as senior forward Mike Ilodigwe and Sangermano each fired off two shots in the first 16 minutes of competition with Sangermano's second attempt coming off of a Boylan assist to beat Crabbs to the bottom left of the goal at 62:55 to give Slippery Rock a comfortable two-goal advantage.
 
Malone did managed to trim Slippery Rock's lead to one goal when Jordan LoPresti lobbed a shot over Rock goalkeeper Steven Rerick in the 74th minute. However, Slippery Rock's defense quickly regrouped and did not allow Malone a serious scoring opportunity the rest of the match en route to the 2-1 triumph.
 
Ilodigwe placed three of his team-high four shots on target. Lutke, Sangermano, freshman midfielder Justin Minda, junior midfielder Adolfo Segura and junior midfielder Josh Allman tallied one shot on goal each.
 
Rerick picked up the win after playing all 90 minutes and making two saves.
 
Slippery Rock is now 44-25-5 all-time in season openers. The win also improved The Rock's home non-conference record since 2010 to an impressive 25-6-8.
 
SRU returns to action 3:30 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Daemen College for a non-conference match at James Egli Field. Slippery Rock defeated the Wildcats 2-1 at Daemen a season ago.