After coming off of their pandemic season with a record of 1-8 and playing in the Southpointe Fieldhouse, Robert Morris looks primed and ready to bounce back for this upcoming season, finally returning to the North Athletic Complex for the first time since 2019.

The Colonials will kick off the season tonight as they take on the UMBC Retrievers on the road in Baltimore. In team history between RMU and UMBC, every game has been close. The biggest thing to look out for is seeing how this team gels as a unit.

Breakout Players

Courtney Worstell, GK

Goalkeeping was an issue for RMU last year due to injuries and lack of defense in front. However, this year one player that you should keep your eye on for the Colonials is graduate student goalkeeper Courtney Worstell.

Worstell, who made nine appearances last year for the club, posted a 2.89 goal allowed average (GAA) and a save percentage of .684. She will look to be the main keeper this year for the club, and with a bolstered defense this year, hopefully, things can improve for RMU women’s soccer defensively in front of her.

Kayla Veloso-Lima, M

Another player to keep your eye on is junior midfielder Kayla Veloso-Lima. Veloso-Lima had a down year last year but will look to come back to her freshman form as she posted 11 pts (4 goals, 3 assists) and was named NEC Rookie of the Week that season.

Important Games

Looking at the schedule there are a couple of games that will catch your eye and will be huge games for the Colonials this upcoming year. First, it will be against the champs of last year in Milwaukee. A statement game against the defending Horizon League champions and a win could be a huge momentum boost. The two teams will face off in Moon on September 19.

Another matchup to keep your eyes on is their first Horizon League match against Green Bay. With a full non-conference schedule this year, the Colonials with their incoming class along with the vets will have their feet under them as they enter Horizon League play and it will all start against Green Bay. While the trip to Green Bay is long, a win on the road to start the season could do wonders for this team.

Final Record Prediction

Overall, I predict RMU will finish with an overall record of 9-6-4 and a 5-3-3 record in Horizon League play. Even though Robert Morris finished last in the preseason poll, with the combination of young and veteran players the Colonials might surprise some people this season.