BOYDS, Md. — The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team scored goals 86 seconds apart to come away with a 2-2 draw on the road at the University of the District of Columbia in its season opener Wednesday.

Slippery Rock begins the year at 0-0-1 with the result, while UDC stays at .500 at 1-1-1.

Arturo Pla Hernandis, last season's leader in goals with eight, led the way with three of The Rock's nine total shots to accompany his penalty kick goal. In his first game as a member of The Rock, Aitor Jorde was credited with the first goal of the game along with two shots.

Ignacio Rullan had two shots on the day, one on target. Freshmen Aaron Finney and Aashi Pandher also added support in their SRU debut with one shot each.

The Rock's back line on defense made several key stops today with contributions from the likes of Jack Smith and Will Harrigan. Jeroen Van Der Veen and Gabin Lonjard also made debut starts defensively for SRU.
   
Adam Davies had a strong showing in his newly acquired role as starting goalkeeper, saving five of seven shots faced.

The Firebirds outshot The Rock, 9-3, in the opening half including a goal by Ignacio Pericet in the 31^st minute to give UDC the early one-goal advantage which it would take into the halftime break.

Slippery Rock found its best opportunity in the 51^st minute of play when UDC's goalkeeper, Bryan Diaz-Blanco, attempted clear the ball from the box, but the errant kick instead took a deflection off Jorde's head directly into the back of the net for the game-tying score.

The rejuvenated SRU side regained possession immediately after the kickoff. A clearance from the back line soared over the midfield to Pla Hernandis, who was fouled by Diaz-Blanco to set up a penalty kick. Pla Hernandis took it himself and converted, giving The Rock a 2-1 lead. The two goals came just 1:26 apart.

UDC soon answered in the 58^th minute with a counterattack goal netted by Santiago Gordillo Martinez and assisted by Vasco Irazola, his second assist on the day.
Following the Firebirds' equalizer, Slippery Rock had successfully defended six UDC shots, but was ultimately unable to convert on any of its three remaining shots on the way to the tie.

The Rock led in corner kicks 5-3 while the Firebirds held a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal.

The match leaves Slippery Rock's all-time record in season openers at 47-31-8 (.593). Additionally, it improves SRU's record against UDC to 5-7-2 (.429).

Slippery Rock will host Walsh University 1 p.m. Saturday at Egli Field. The Cavaliers defeated SRU 4-1 a season ago.
 

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