SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team earned a 1-0 shutout victory over the University of the District of Columbia Saturday in a non-conference home match at James Egli Field.
 
The win improves The Rock's to 2-2-1 overall this year while remaining undefeated at home with a 2-0-1 mark. UDC's overall record moves to 3-2-1 with the loss.
 
Hossam Aly recorded his first shutout victory of the season, and fourth of his career, after making four saves over 90 minutes. Saturday's shutout was the 16th such for The Rock in five seasons under the guidance of head coach Kevin Wilhelm.
 
SRU got off to an early start as Arturo Pla Hernandis recorded what turned out to be the game-winning goal just 2:07 into the first half of play off an assist from Alex Plimmer. Pla Hernandis netted what was his third goal of the season while Plimmer tallied his first assist of the year.
 
Following Pla Hernandis' score, The Rock defense showed its dominance by limiting the UDC attack to just three shots through the remainder of the first 45 minutes, maintaining the one-goal advantage going into halftime.
 
Coming out of the break, SRU's backline remained grounded as it successfully defended two consecutive corner kicks in the opening 13 minutes of the second half, as well as two more back-to-back corner attempts with under 10 minutes to play.
 
Slippery Rock seemed content to focus maintaining its one goal lead with a heavy defensive focus in the second half as it allowed just two UDC attempts in the final 45 minutes.
 
The waning moments of the game were a back-and-forth midfield battle as the clock winding down prompted UDC to look for any opportunity it could to find the equalizer. The last Firebirds attempt at a score came at 75:40 when Axel Gamez fired a shot on goal. However, Aly made a clean save to secure the 1-0 shutout win.
 
For the match, Slippery Rock held advantages over the District of Columbia in shots (8-5) while UDC led in shots on goal (4-2) and corner kicks (5-0). Ramses Minaya took a team-high four shots for The Rock while Pla Hernandis (2), Plimmer (1) and Joe Skillicorn (1) all recorded attempts as well.
 
SRU remains home for its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division match of the season when it Pitt-Johnstown 3 p.m. Sept. 17 at James Egli Field.









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