A strong showing by Colton Swanson proved not enough for Rock men’s soccer to claim victory over the University of the District of Columbia earlier today at James Egli Field in a game that ended 1-1.
Swanson’s six shots and four shots on goal were both at least double the final tally for every other athlete on the field. The graduate student filled up the stat sheet in his third game with The Rock after completing his undergraduate degree at Lock Haven University.
Swanson’s 13th-minute goal, his first while donning the White and Green, was the biggest difference from last year’s game. In that matchup, the Firebirds scored first, and it took 15 more minutes to open the scoring.
A year ago, The Rock scored twice to take a one-goal lead before a 58th-minute goal from the Firebirds tied it up and ended the scoring for the game.
It was not only similarities to the game a season ago that stick out as obvious parallels. Statistically speaking, both sides were evenly matched from a team perspective.
SRU finished with one goal and zero assists on 14 shots, six of which landed on goal. Their goalkeeper, Adam Davies, tallied five saves. The team took six corner kicks and had 12 fouls.
UDC finished with one goal and zero assists on 16 shots, seven of which landed on goal. Their goalkeeper, Sergio Becerra, tallied six saves. The team took four corner kicks and had 13 fouls.
Every one of those numbers ended up just one or two tallies away from the opposing team’s final statistic.
While there were similarities, the individual statistics do not quite show the same level of resemblance.
Forward Arturo Pla Hernandis and midfielder Aitor Jorde were second behind Swanson at three shots apiece for The Rock. Both players had one shot on goal. Four other Rock athletes recorded at least one shot.
Forward Brandon Johnson and midfielder Isaiah Daniel led their team at three shots each for the Firebirds. Both players had two shots on goal. Anthony Diaz and Tsega Kebede both logged two shots with Diaz having one shot on goal.
The tie landed Slippery Rock at 1-1-1 while UDC sits at 1-2-2. Both teams have yet to play a game as part of their conference schedule.
Rock men’s soccer joins the football and field hockey teams in heading out to Shippensburg University for their next game action this Saturday. The Rock will look to avoid more repetition after tying with Shippensburg a year ago.
