New Britain, Conn. – The Robert Morris University men's soccer team secured one of the four spots in the Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Tournament with a 2-1 win at Central Connecticut State University Friday afternoon. The Colonials, 10-6-1 overall and 3-1-1 in league games, are in the postseason for the first time since 2006 and have reached the 10-win plateau for the first time since 2005.
 
Neco Brett recorded a goal and assist and Jake Cooper assisted on both goals to lead the Colonials to victory. A solid defensive effort yielded just five shots to Central Connecticut with Brenden Alfery finishing with two saves.
 
Freshman Zac Sherman came on as a sub in the 33rd minute, and just seconds later gave the Colonials a 1-0 lead. A diagonal ball into the CCSU box by Andrew Scheidemantel was touched by Brett back to Cooper who sent a header inside to Sherman. The rookie sent a dipping volley over the head of Nick Velleca and inside the far right post. Sherman now has two goals and an assist in the last two games after going pointless in the first 12 games he played.
 
Less than five minutes later, Cooper started a quick counter attack by sending a loose ball from midfield ahead to Brett. Fighting off a pair of defenders, Brett somehow managed to keep his feet and send in his 12th goal of the season from just eight yards out.
 
Central Connecticut made the game interesting, taking advantage of one of their six corner kicks in the 67th minute. Dominic Plant sent a corner kick to the far post where Ben Knight headed the ball back toward the near post. Ryan Taylor redirected it there, scoring his sixth goal of the season to cut the lead to 2-1.
 
The Robert Morris defense clamped down after that and did not allow the Blue Devils to register a shot in the game's final 23 minutes.
 
The Colonials are off until next Sunday, Nov. 8, when they make their shortest conference trip to Saint Francis U. in Loretto, Pa.