Box Score
Box Score (PDF)

Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ambrose Urbanic Field – The Robert Morris University women's soccer team struck first and last to beat Duquesne, 3-2, in the first game of the Steel City Classic hosted by the University of Pittsburgh. The contest was the season opener for both teams. Prior to Friday's victory, the Colonials were winless in the last seven meetings against the Dukes dating back to 2003.
 
Sophomore Antonia Grese ended that streak in the waning moments of the game. With the score tied, 2-2, redshirt freshman Erin Ritzer sent a through-ball to Grese who was streaking down field. Grese collected the pass, beat the charging Dukes keeper with a dribble and finished into an open net, giving RMU the gamewinning goal in the 86^th minute.
 
Kristie Hamilton, who led the Colonials with 13 points in 2013, scored the first of her two goals in the 13^th minute. In alone on a breakaway, the junior calmly picked the left corner of the net to give RMU the game's first score. The lead was shortlived, however, as the Dukes Maggie Mayo put away a rebound from Cydney Staton's shot just 26 seconds later.
 
Duquesne took the lead in the 30^th minute, again taking advantage of a second chance opportunity. Emma Coccia watched junior keeper Chelsea de Jager stop her shot, but Amy Vinopal pounced on the rebound to make it a 2-1 contest.
 
Hamilton forced the game's second tie shortly after halftime. This time she teamed up with classmate Madison Kozlowski for a nifty give-and-go. Hamilton ended the play by scoring her second of the game in the 53^rd minute.
 
de Jager finished the game with six saves for the Colonials. Vanessa Perdomo stopped three shots for Duquesne.
 
Robert Morris plays its second game of the Steel City Classic Sunday, Aug. 24, when it takes on Akron in an 11:00 a.m. game.