Moon Township, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University women's soccer certainly deserved a better fate Sunday afternoon as they dropped a 1-0 match to Niagara University at North Athletic Complex. The Colonials, who generated several prime scoring chances, slip to 0-3 on the year while the Purple Eagles pick up their first victory to move to 1-1-1.
The Colonials first chance came just two minutes in when a giveaway in the Niagara defensive end gave
Lauren Sulkowski a shot from 35 yards. Her effort beat the keeper, but not the crossbar as it careened out of play. Sulkowski would hit the crossbar again in the 16th minute, this time just seconds after she had a blast from 16 yards blocked.
Niagara, who had been limited to shots from distance for much of the first half, netted the game's lone tally in the 32nd minute. A pass through the midfield from Naomi Giovino got Haillie Price the ball at the point of attack. She was able to get past the Colonials defense and poke a shot off the hands of RMU goalkeeper
Chelsea de Jager and into the net.
The Colonials best chance to get on the board came via a penalty kick in the 43rd minute.
Melissa Ercoli was unable to convert and the game went into halftime with the Purple Eagles holding a 1-0 lead.
After surviving an early second half surge from Niagara, RMU controlled play for much of the remainder of the game. Again, the crossbar proved to be the Purple Eagles best friend. A flick header by
Theresa Laux beat Niagara keeper Claire Feiertag, but the woodwork rang unkind for the third time.
Just moments later,
Kristie Hamilton was able to carry through the Niagara defense down the left side, only to have her shot turned aside by Feiertag. The rebound was nearly put home by Sulkowski, but with a defender bearing down on her she rushed a shot that was snuffed out as well.
Robert Morris held the advantage in shots, 13-12, while each squad had four corner kick attempts. A chippy game early was held in check with 52 fouls and eight yellow cards.
Robert Morris returns to the pitch Friday, Sept. 6, in a 6:00 .m. game at Howard University.
