Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University women's soccer team saw its season come to an end this afternoon as the Colonials fell to Central Connecticut State University, 1-0, from a sloppy North Athletic Complex.
Robert Morris needed a victory and some help to clinch a spot in its second consecutive Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament, but a Central Connecticut goal in the 26th minute doomed those aspirations. The visitors had double the attempts on target, holding a 10-5 edge over the Colonials.
RMU opened the game with an extra boost and tested the Blue Devil goalkeeper early. A strong counter-attack gave Greer Monahan some space to work with in the seventh minute, but her shot was saved. Less than two minutes later, Jane Schleicher ripped a strike that was tipped over the crossbar.
CCSU escaped that stretch without damage and quickly gained an advantage in the possession battle. Emily Hogan put the Blue Devils' first attempt on target in the 14th minute, forcing Makenzie Shearson into a save. Shearson made her second stop four minutes later on Brianna Scaldaferri, and gloved a Carla Jackson shot in the 22nd minute.
The consistent pressure CCSU had applied resulted in a goal in the 26th minute. Emily Hogan carried the ball near the end line and skipped a pass towards the goal, where Shelbie Carr managed to redirect it just over the chalk. The visitors continued to push forward after the tally, but Shearson stood tall and made three more saves.
The Colonials had a great chance at an equalizer near the end of the first half on a Kayla Kelley free kick. Her strike was tipped by Nicki Turley and deflected off the crossbar, leaving a fat rebound in the box for someone to take advantage of, but nothing came of it.
In the second half, the Blue Devils held most of the possession and limited RMU's scoring opportunities. The hosts were held without a shot attempt until the 77th minute, when Friday's goal scorer Kristina Kelley had a strike blocked in front. Three minutes later, Maleha Kureishy connected with Antonia Grese on a cross, but the senior's header was gloved.
Kristina Kelley saw another one of her shots blocked by a visiting defender in the 88th minute, but the deflection trickled to Monahan, who had her attempt at goal saved.
Shearson made eight saves in the defeat. Monahan led the Colonials with three shot attempts.
Prior to the contest, the Colonials honored the careers of Antonia Grese, Erin Ritzer, and Makenzie Shearson as a part of Senior Day festivities.
Robert Morris finishes the season with a 6-12 overall record and a 4-4 mark in NEC play.
