BUFFALO – The D'Youville University men's soccer team opened up their 2024 campaign on Thursday with a tight 1-0 loss to Slippery Rock University.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Matthew Solorio (Kansas City, Mo.) was tested early in his collegiate debut, making a nice save just over two minutes in and then staving off another Slippery Rock shot at the eight-minute mark.
 
Freshman Omar Daoudi (South Burlington, Vt.) got the first shot on goal of the game for the Saints at the 18:33 mark, but it was saved by SRU's keeper.
 
Slippery Rock threatened to score again in the 26^th and 33^rd minute, but Solorio once again was able to keep them at bay.
 
Senior Sean Burke (Coventry, England) came close to scoring the Saints' first goal of the season in the 41^st minute, but the shot barely missed out top left, and the game went to halftime knotted at 0-0.
 
Sophomore Ethan Robinson (Toronto, Ontario) saw a scoring chance in the 64^th minute, but his shot missed wide right. Freshman Sigurjon Orri Ivarsson also had an opportunity in the 81^st minute, but he missed out left.
 
The game remained scoreless until the 86:51 mark, when Slippery Rock was able to find the net and take a 1-0 lead, which they would hold for the final three minutes to secure the victory.
 
DYU will be back in action on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. when they travel to the University of Findlay.