Moon Township, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University men's soccer controlled play throughout the contest, finally scoring midway through the second half en route to a 2-0 win over Central Connecticut State in a Northeast Conference game at North Athletic Complex Friday afternoon. The win improves the Colonials record to 7-8-2 and 2-3-1 in conference, keeping the team's playoff hopes alive for the time being. The Blue Devils fall to 5-8-2 and 1-3-1 in the NEC.
The Colonials generated several golden scoring chances in the game's opening half, outshooting the Blue Devils 14-2.
Speedy Williams sent
Bruce Cullen alone on goal in the fifth minute, but Josef Abele made one of his five first half saves on the breakaway. Abele then got help from the woodwork as a header by Williams careened off the crossbar in the ninth minute.
Three Colonials players had chances in succession on a corner kick in the 34th minute, Williams sending a shot on goal that
Neco Brett redirected to the far post. That's where
Bennett Jull's diving header was deflected out by a Blue Devil defender. Just before half, Cullen fed a short cross to Brett, but again Abele was there to snuff out the forward's point-blank chance.
The angst on the RMU sideline continued to build in the second half as constant offensive pressure and opportunities mounted without finding the back of the net. Finally, in the 70th minute, the Colonials cracked the bowing Blue Devils defense.
Corey McCurdy solved the CCSU backline with a cross to the eight-yard box. That's where Brett, the nation's leading scorer, was able to send a volley past Abele and give RMU a 1-0 lead with his 15th marker of the season.
RMU added an insurance goal in the 84th minute, pressing forward and utilizing the Jamaican triangle. Brett held the ball at the top of the box, playing it back to Williams who sent a chip over the top of the defense where
Carl Reid put his second touch inside the left post from 10 yards out. All three players are natives of Jamaica.
Junior keeper
Brenden Alfery made four saves to earn the clean sheet, his second of the season. Of those saves, he was tested just once on a header late in regulation. RMU put 12 shots on net with Abele stopping eight and the Blue Devils defense accounting for two more saves.
Robert Morris wraps up the regular season slate next Sunday, Nov. 9, when Saint Francis U. visits North Athletic Complex for a 1:00 p.m. game.
