Indianola, Pa. - Junior forward Connor Curran-Hays (Camp Hill, Pa. / Camp Hill), who up until this season played defense, scored three goals to lead the Robert Morris University men's soccer to a 4-1 trouncing of the University of Pittsburgh Wednesday afternoon. In addition to scoring three times, Curran-Hays had an assist on the team's other goal as they improve to 5-4-1 on the year. Pitt falls to 3-6-2.
Curran-Hays' three goals came in a span of 11:14, the ninth fastest three goals scored by the same player in NCAA Division I soccer history. John Stone of SIU Edwardsville had three gaols in 2:15 against Illinois-Chicago back on Oct. 20, 1985. Prior to Wednesday night's game, Curran-Hays had just one career goal, that coming earlier this season against Western Michigan (9/1/06).
After failing to score a goal and going 0-4 in their first four road games, the Colonials are now 2-0 in their last two away from North Athletic Complex having outscored those two opponents, Missouri State and Pitt, 6-1.
It looked as if the early season road trend was going to continue when Pitt's Samuli Ahola converted on a penalty kick just 1:58 into the game to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
However, momentum would swing to Robert Morris just minutes after Curran-Hays entered the game. Working on a give-and-go with junior midfielder Ryan Zabinski (New Cumberland, Pa. / Cedar Cliff), Curran-Hays put Zabinski in alone on the keeper to tie the game in the 16th minute. The score stayed knotted, 1-1, into the half time break.
The Colonials opened the game in the second half. Curran-Hays got his first marker when he finished off a rebound from a shot by freshman Sean Riley (Kalispell, Mont. / Flathead) in the 57th minute. Just 51 seconds later, he made it 3-1 with a header on a corner kick by Zabinski. Curran-Hays ended the game's scoring by finishing off his own rebound in the 65th minute.
Robert Morris sophomore goaltender Matt Felice (Missisaugua, Ontario / Phillip Pocock) made four saves for the victory. Jordan Marks had six stops in the loss for Pitt.
The Colonials begin defense of their 2005 Northeast Conference championship Sunday, Oct. 1, when they host St. Francis (Pa.) in a 2:30 p.m. game.
