Moon Township, Pa. / North Athletic Complex-The Robert Morris University men's soccer team opened the 2011 campaign with a 2-1 victory over local rival Pitt Friday afternoon at North Athletic Complex. The season-opening win was the first since 2007 for the Colonials who dropped their last two season-debuts to the Panthers (0-1).
Pitt enjoyed the majority of ball possession, outshooting host RMU 18-9, but the Colonials had the services of NSCAA All-Region selection Toba Bolaji (Vaughan, Ontario / Maple) in net to erase any defensive mistakes. Bolaji finished the game with nine saves, half of which were highlight reel quality.
The Colonials got on the board early when senior Francis Bowman (Fawn Grove, Pa. / Kennard-Dale) carried down the left side of the field and played a cross just inside the box. Sophomore Miro Cabrilo (Hamilton, Ontario / Glendale Secondary) settled the perfectly weighted pass and hit a half-volley past Hami Kara for the game's first goal in the 11th minute.
Bowman set up the Colonials second goal by intercepting a Pitt pass in midfield during the 59th minute of play. The senior carried and lofted a ball through the center of the Panthers defense, setting sophomore Prince Samuels (Saint Catherine, Jamaica / Kingston College) on goal. Samuels took one touch before placing his right-footed effort inside the right post to make it a 2-0 game.
Constant pressure by the Panthers finally paid off just 1:41 later when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 61st minute. Nico Wrobel took the attempt from 12 yards out, firing his shot right with Bolaji guessing the wrong direction.
The freebie was the only ball Bolaji would allow to cross the line, however, as he and his teammates held on over the final 30 minutes for a 2-1 win.
The Colonials return to the pitch Wednesday, Aug. 31, when they host Buffalo in a 4:00 p.m. contest.
