RMU shuts out SFU in a crucial NEC match

Photo+credit%3A+David+Auth

Photo credit: David Auth

Andrew Ostrosky, Contributor

MOON TOWNSHIP — The Robert Morris Colonials (3-11-0) women’s soccer team came back from getting shutout 2-0 by Mount St. Mary’s (2-7-3) to face off against St. Francis University (5-7-3) in NEC play.

Jane Schleicher got an early chance to put the Colonials on the board first but hit the post just for JMU goaltender Julia Hernan to make the save on the rebound. Later, in the twenty-third minute, Kaele Kloc managed to break away from SFU’s defense and get a shot up close on the Hernan.

In the thirty-seventh minute, Chelsea Kingston scored the opening goal of the match, assisted by Courtney Hurey. That was Kingston’s first goal of the season and her collegiate career. Just minutes later, in the forty-second minute, Jane Schleicher added onto the lead making the match 2-0 for her tenth goal of the season.

SFU was awarded two corner kicks during the half, both unsuccessful in terms of a chance on goal. Both goaltenders made two saves each, and SFU managed to receive six fouls.

The second half started with RMU keeping pressure on FSU goaltender Hernan, including a chance for Bailey Farabaugh that was kicked out of play by an SFU defender resulting in a corner kick.

Although JMU was pressured nearly the whole second half, the Hernan did not give an inch to RMU’s offensive pressure, making a few spectacular jumping and diving saves. JMU did get a few good attempts at scoring though, getting off two cross box passes that turned out unsuccessful in scoring.

Robert Morris would wrap up the 90th minute with a 2-0 shutout with goals coming from freshman midfielder Chelsea Kingston and forward Jane Schleicher.

Kingston said postgame, “It was awesome, I hope to do more” after being asked how her first collegiate goal feels. Later asked if she could describe how her goal went down, she went on to say, “I got a great pass from Courtney [Hurey] and I beat the defender and just scored.”

Head coach John Kowalski was asked if the shutout will give the team some confidence continuing NEC play, in response, he said, “We are very much still in it, beating a very good team, a team that has won a bunch of NEC championships.” He later mentioned, “It feels really good to win this game.”

Kowalski also saw some great chemistry this game between Brittany O’Connell and Nicolette Casarcia at midfield as well as Taylor Burkley being matched up against SFU forward Alyssa McGhee.

 

RMU will head to Bryant University (6-6-1) in Smithfield, Rhode Island for their next NEC match in an attempt to get their record to 3-3 in conference play.