Moon Township, Pa. – Junior
Madison Kozlowski scored the equalizer late in the second half to secure a 1-1 tie for the
Robert Morris University women's soccer team against Central Connecticut State in the Northeast Conference opener for both teams at North Athletic Complex Friday afternoon. The teams had to battle stiff winds and blowing rain all afternoon.
Trailing late in the second half, the Colonials (2-8-2, 0-0-1 NEC) won one of eight corner kicks in the 78th minute. Kozlowski took the kick from the left corner, only to see it cleared off the head of a CCSU defender right back to her foot. The junior took a touch towards the center of the field before blasting a shot on net that careened off a defender and inside the near left post, the second goal of the season for Kozlowski.
RMU nearly took the lead just 90 seconds later.
Antonia Grese carried down the right wing before beating her defender to the center of the field. Her shot, true and destined for the upper ninety, was parried just high as Nikki Turley made one of her seven saves in the game. The score would remain tied through regulation and neither team could generate a scoring chance in the first extra session.
Kozlowski was at the center of the Colonials best chance in the second overtime. She carried down the right wing and hit a low cross into the CCSU box where
Kristie Hamilton's redirection from eight yards out went over the crossbar and out of play. It was the Blue Devils turn just three minutes later when Julie Lavoie sent a one-time shot wide of the right post after Tori Sousa found her with through ball.
Central Connecticut State (4-3-3, 0-0-1 NEC) opened the scoring in the 38th minute, taking advantage of a short clearance off the Colonials line. The ball went directly to Alysa Christo at the top of the RMU box and she didn't miss her opportunity, blistering a shot into the upper right corner.
Grese was denied of a breakaway goal in the 11th minute, and Kozlowski watched her 12 yard strike get snuffed out in the 47th minute as Turley made several big saves for the Blue Devils to keep them in the game.
The Colonials held a 14-11 advantage in shots and generated eight corner kicks to just five for the visitors. Senior goalkeeper
Becky Schoenecker finished the game with five saves for RMU.
Robert Morris wraps up a four-game home stand Sunday, Oct. 5, when Wagner comes calling for a Noon kickoff.
