Moon Township, Pa. /North Athletic Complex-Playing in a steady rain and winds, the Robert Morris University men's soccer team suffered a 1-0 setback to #7 Monmouth University during a Northeast Conference contest Friday afternoon at North Athletic Complex. The Colonials fall to 2-12-2 on the season and 2-3-2 in conference play. The Hawks improve to 13-0-1 and 5-0-1 in the NEC.
Monmouth got the game's only goal in the 30th minute on a free kick try from 30 yards out. The initial service was headed hard on net by Ryan Kinne, but RMU keeper Toba Bolaji (Vaughn, Ontario / Maple) reacted quickly to his left to make the initial save. The rebound, however, found Anthony Vazquez standing alone 10 yards from net and he didn't miss, shooting to the left side of the cage for his first score of the season.
Both teams created early scoring chances as Robert Morris took the kick-off and pushed downfield, getting a free kick 30 yards from goal. Just 55 seconds in, Neil Shaffer's (Aliquippa, Pa. / Beaver) shot attempted to hook right to left, but Bryan Meredith was there to make the save, his only one of the game.
The Hawks nearly scored in the sixth minute when a failed clearance found the foot of Kinne at the top of the box. Kinne pushed the ball ahead to Drew Von Vargen free in the box, but his shot found the right post and careened out of bounds.
Bolaji finished with three saves as the Colonials were outshot, 12-5. Monmouth also took 12 corner kicks to five for RMU.
The Colonials will celebrate Senior Day prior to the 2:00 p.m. kick-off against Mount St. Mary's this Sunday, October 25.
