Moon Township, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University men's soccer team overcame a first half deficit to upend Fairleigh Dickinson, 2-1, in a Northeast Conference game at North Athletic Complex Friday afternoon. The win is the fifth in the last six games for the Colonials who strengthen their playoff position by improving to 9-6-0 overall and 3-1-0 in Northeast Conference games. The Knights slip to 2-10-1 overall and 0-3 in the league standings.
Senior goalkeeper
Brenden Alfery made eight saves, seven in the second half, and
Zac Sherman tallied a goal and an assist to pace the Robert Morris effort.
Neco Brett added to his league leading goal total, scoring his 11th of the season and moved into a tie for second all-time at RMU with 40 career goals.
The Knights struck first in the 41st minute, getting on the board with a bit of skill and a bit of luck. Jordan Ellison got free down the right wing before turning into the box. He sent a hard, low cross into the box that an RMU defender attempted to clear, but instead sent into the far left-side netting for the game's first goal.
Six minutes after the mid-game break,
Andrew Scheidemantel sent a blast from 35 yards that curled and dove hard off the crossbar.
Zac Sherman used his first touch on the carom to set up
Neco Brett who didn't miss on the opportunity to score his 11th goal of the season. His tally tied the game, 1-1, in the 51st minute.
After setting up the first goal, Sherman would give the Colonials the lead in the 65th minute.
Lucas Puntillo sent a through ball down the right wing where Sherman won a foot race before sending a shot between the legs of Knights keeper Matthew Weigner to put the Colonials on top, 2-1.
The Knights would put on heavy pressure over the final 15 minutes, but Alfery was up to the task. Three times he robbed Sam Durkot on golden opportunities. The first was on a blast to the near post in the 83rd minute. In the 85th, Alfery went to his right to rob Durkot's attempt from 12 yards and just over a minute later, the senior keeper took away another by going to his left.
Robert Morris wraps up the home portion of its schedule Sunday, Oct. 25, when it hosts the Bryant Bulldogs in a 1:00 p.m. match at North Athletic Complex.
