Brooklyn N.Y. / Aviator Sport?St. Francis (N.Y.) scored twice in the final 4:49 of regulation to overcome a 2-1 lead and hand the Robert Morris University men's soccer team a Northeast Conference loss Sunday afternoon. The Colonials, who started the season 4-1, are now 5-4-2 overall and 0-1-1 in the NEC. St. Francis improves to 3-5-3 and 1-0 in conference play.
The Terriers took the early lead in Sunday's match when Giuseppe Buscemi scored on breakaway in the 18th minute.
The Colonials tied the game when Sean Riley (Kalispell, Mont. / Flathead) corralled his own rebound and banged his second chance past Chris Antonino for his first career goal. The goal came in the 30th minute and sent the game to break knotted at 1-1.
Robert Morris took the lead in the 60th minute as senior Jacek Przednowek (Brantford, Ontario / St. John's College) scored his team-leading eighth goal of the year. Junior Tyler Stanley (Kalispell, Mont. / Columbia Falls) freed Przednowek for a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper.
St. Francis, however, would strike late and last. They got the equalizing marker in the 86th minute when Sesmo Nikocevic found the foot of Javier Gonzalez off of a free kick chip shot into the RMU box. Just 11 seconds later, a hand ball inside the box by a Colonials player resulted in a penalty kick for the Terriers. John Sallhag did not waste the opportunity, burying the shot for the 3-2 lead and win.
RMU junior keeper Matt Felice (Mississauga, Ontario / Philip Pocock) finished with a season-high 11 saves despite allowing three goals. Antonino stopped eight shots. The Terriers held a 19-11 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in corner kicks.
The Colonials return home to North Athletic Complex for a 3:30 p.m. game against Sacred Heart, Friday, October 12. Robert Morris is 2-0-1 at home this season and unbeaten (9-0-3) in their last 12 games at home.
