MOON TOWNSHIP– A gloomy and cold day in Moon Township suddenly got a lot brighter after John Paul Mbuthia buried a cross from Anass Hadran into the Cleveland State net to put RMU men’s soccer up, 1-0.
But there was a long build up to that breakthrough goal in the back and forth battle.
“We did what we could do today to help us,” said Coach Potter.
However, Robert Morris fell short of the tiebreaker to Wright State. The Raiders won their game at home to Northern Kentucky 5-1, and with their win over Green Bay on Sept. 30 was the difference, according to the Horizon League’s website
As for the game, it was tense throughout all 90 minutes. The Colonials got close off a couple crosses, with Cleveland State being fairly shaky clearing the ball out of their own end. Kai McLoughlin showed sparks, one chance coming from him receiving at the halfway drive, and in the blink of an eye, carried the ball to just outside of the 18 yard box, winning the foul.
Potter commented on the Australian’s performance.
“[Kai’s] been great, he’s really picked up in the back half of the year.”
McLoughlin may not have contributed on the scoresheet today, but his influence was still immense. “He’s scored a lot, and he’s created a lot even when he’s not scoring, and he’s a great kid.”
McLaughlin was paired with John Paul Mbuthia, Kosi Udeh, and Anass Hadran up top. The 4-2-3-1 formation has been the go to for Coach Potter, but the players in those spots have varied, especially up top.
“We have a number of good attacking players,” Potter said. “Kosi has been hungry for an opportunity, I think he got big minutes for us today.”
Udeh has two goals and an assist this season, his partner up top John Paul Mbuthia, has similar stats, but came in clutch today. Mbuthia now has 4 goals and a assist.
“For JP to get a timely goal, he’s worked so hard all year,” Potter said. “I was so happy to him be successful today and score the winning goal.”
The second half was much like the first. No chances that were incredibly close, just even soccer. The breakthrough came from nice buildup, with Dodzi Afawduo driving the ball to the edge of the eighteen, then feeding Hadran out wide, who sliced the ball across the net right to the oncoming Mbuthia who slotted it past Cleveland State’s keeper.
The Colonials were finally ahead, but would concede not soon after due to a misplaced pass from keeper Josh Lane found the feet of a Cleveland player who chipped the Leicester native but would amazingly enough hit the crossbar.
RMU would see the game out from then on. When the timer ran out the players erupted, knowing they kept their playoff hopes alive. Green Bay would beat Milwaukee 4-2 to see those hopes come true.
With falling short of the playoffs, the Colonials’ season ends with a 5-6-5 record and 3-4-2 in Horizon League play in Coach Potter’s first year at the helm.
