Moon Township, Pa. – The Canisius Golden Griffins spoiled the return home of the
Robert Morris University men's soccer team, upending the Colonials 1-0 at North Athletic Complex Sunday afternoon. The loss is just the second in the Colonials last 12 home games. RMU is now 3-3-1 while the Griffs improve to 4-2.
Canisius was able to control play early, generating the game's first scoring chance just seconds after kick-off. Asani Samuels carried with speed down the left side before hitting a shot that RMU keeper
Brenden Alfery was able to knock away. The Griffs second corner kick of the game nearly turned into the game's first goal when Jon Cary nailed the crossbar with a hard header from the middle of the box.
The Colonials settled down shortly after and began counterattacking Canisius. A free kick attempt by
Speedy Williams sailed just over the bar in the 17
th minute.
Jake Cooper then forced Andrew Coughlin to parry his hard liner over the crossbar in the 36
th minute.
On as a reserve,
Rafael Bruzual watched as Coughlin punched aside what would have been his first career goal in the 50
th minute. As the RMU defense continued to limit the Griffs chances to shots from the outside, the offense started seeking chances with through balls. Williams and
Neco Brett nearly connected in the 58
th minute before Coughlin broke up the chance.
It would eventually be the man who had the game's first chance who scored the contest's only goal. Nicoló Baudo drove the ball to the top left of the box, then layed a pass off to Samuels. Samuels carried the ball across the top of box from left to right, before cutting inside and hitting a low shot inside the right post.
Alfery finished the game with five saves while Coughlin turned aside six for the clean sheet.
The Colonials travel across Allegheny County to take on the Duquesne Dukes in a 7:00 p.m. game Thursday, Sept. 25.
