Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. – The Robert Morris University men's soccer team was unable to hold onto an early lead as it fell to St. Francis Brooklyn, 3-1, this evening in Northeast Conference (NEC) action from Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Robert Morris (2-9-3, 1-2-1 NEC) had no answer for Dominick Falanga, who posted a second-half hat trick for St. Francis Brooklyn (8-4-1, 2-0-1 NEC).
The Colonials opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Corey McCurdy played a ball from midfield to the left flank, connecting with Bayley Winkel. Winkel then skirted a pass inside the 18, where Keane McIvor got there one step ahead of the Terriers goalkeeper to slot home his first goal of the season.
Falanga equalized in the 55th minute with a finish into the lower right corner from the top of the 18. He added a second in the 59th minute off a header and completed his hat trick in the 61st with a bending strike from just outside the box.
RMU created a trio of chances over the 15 minutes in their push for a late comeback. Christian Coridon was denied in the 76th minute by Roberto Bazzichetto, then Oeyvind Skjesol tested the keeper with a shot on goal in the 82nd minute. McIvor nearly had a second goal in the 87th minute, but his header was gloved by Bazzichetto.
Winter Fondi made four saves in the defeat.
McIvor's tally snapped St. Francis Brooklyn's streak of 11 consecutive shutouts against NEC foes, dating back to the 2015 campaign.
Robert Morris completes its road swing in the Big Apple on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1:00 p.m. when it faces LIU Brooklyn.
