Teaneck, N.J. – The
Robert Morris University women's soccer is headed to the Northeast Conference Tournament Championship game following a 2-1 win over third-seeded Bryant, 2-1, Friday afternoon at Fairleigh Dickinson University. The Colonials even their season long record at 10-10 and earn the right to take on host and top seed FDU in the championship contest Sunday, Nov. 8, at Noon.
"This feeling is outstanding. The girls did their best in the second half," said 15th year head coach
John Kowalski. "Like I said at halftime, I think the wind will help Bryant to run some counterattacks and certainly the goal that they scored was wind-aided and from then on we were fighting to survive. But certainly we're feeling ecstatic and there is a great feeling of relief and accomplishment."
The gamewinning goal for Robert Morris came in the 83rd minute.
Kasia Bak fired a shot that deflected off a defender to the left side of the box.
Cassie Raymond was in position to send home the rebound before she was fouled from behind, earning a penalty kick for the Colonials.
Maleha Kureishy was called upon to take the opportunity and she did not miss, placing her right footed shot into the left side netting.
"I was really nervous, but I know my teammates have faith in me that I'll make my PK, so I figured I should have a little faith in myself," said Kureishy. "We're just really excited to go and play Sunday. Bryant did a really good job today and gave us a run for our money."
The Colonials early and consistent offensive pressure finally culminated in a goal in the 27th minute. Senior
Lauren Sulkowski took advantage of a giveaway deep in Bryant territory. Sulkowski carried from the right wing across the top of the Bulldogs box before sending a left-footed shot off the keeper's hands and inside the near right post for her fourth of the season.
RMU controlled play in the first half, outshooting Bryant, 10-4, and owning a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks as well.
Following the mid-game break, Bryant wasted little time in equalizing. A free kick from 40 yards by Allison DeBenedictis was curling from left to right and the wind that was gusting to near 30 miles per hour made it tricky to judge. The shot bounced in the box, narrowly missing the head of a Bryant player, before careening off the left post and in knotting the game at 1-1 in the 49th minute.
Chelsea de Jager finished with four saves for the Colonials, including a pair of stops on breakaway opportunities. Kaylan Conrad made nine stops for the Bulldogs.
