SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team played the University of the District of Columbia to a 1-1 tie in its home opener Wednesday at James Egli Field.
 
The Rock moved to a 1-1-1 overall record while the Firebirds improved to 1-2-2 on the year.
 
Lock Haven University grad transfer Colton Swanson netted his first career goal in a Slippery Rock jersey, putting The Rock on the board in the 13^th minute. UDC found an equalizer in the 58^th minute with the two sides otherwise playing in an even matchup.
 
Swanson also led Slippery Rock with six shots, four of which were placed on target. Aitor Jorde and Arturo Pla Hernandis both tallied three shots with one on net.
 
Rasmus Fugl, Luke Gildea, Aashi Pandher and Ignacio Rullan each added one shot for The Rock.
 
Adam Davies made five saves in the draw. The senior goalkeeper's streak of not allowing a goal from open play ended 257 minutes into his 2024 campaign.
 
Slippery Rock's goal 12:14 into the match was the game's first shot. SRU won a direct free kick to the right of the penalty box, which Swanson buried in the back of the net himself.
 
Swanson saw another shot saved in the 33^rd minute before Jorde was denied a two-goal lead when his 36^th-minute shot drilled the goalpost.
 
The Firebirds entered halftime having taken the final three shots of the frame but was held off the scoreboard. SRU outshot UDC in the first half, 9-5.
 
The District of Columbia continued to apply pressure to Slippery Rock's defense to start the second half. Brandon Johnson took advantage of Davies backtracking into the box on a short defensive pass and flicked the ball over his head to level the game 12:47 into the period.
 
Slippery Rock strung together three unanswered shots through the next 15 minutes, running into the gloves of UDC's Sergio Becerra.
 
The Rock and the Firebirds spent the remaining time trading possessions and near-misses with defenses prevailing to solidify the 1-1 result.
 
SRU ended the game with a narrow margin in shots (16-14), shots on goal (7-6) and corner kicks (6-4). Isaiah Daniel joined Johnson in leading the Firebirds with three shots, while Becerra made six saves.
 
Slippery Rock will play its third road game of the season 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division opponent Shippensburg University. The Rock and the Raiders also played to a 1-1 draw last year at James Egli Field.





To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official Athletic Communication accounts on 'X' (formerly Twitter, @Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics) and Instagram (RockAthletics).