Moon Township, Pa. – A late goal in regulation by the
Robert Morris University men's soccer team forced overtime, but Lehigh would get the final goal in double-overtime to escape North Athletic Complex with a 3-2 win Friday afternoon. The Colonials slip to 4-3 with the result while the Mountain Hawks improve to 4-2 overall.
Robert Morris took the lead in the 27th minute as
Neco Brett carried down the left wing and into the Lehigh box where he was hauled down and earned a penalty kick. He deposited the free 12-yard try low and right, his seventh marker of the season giving RMU a 1-0 lead.
A quick throw in by Jamie Luchini in the Colonials defensive third set Mark Forrest into the box along the left endline. After finding space, Forrest sent a right footed in-swinger to the far post, equalizing the game in the 30th minute.
The score remained tied through halftime until the 58th minute when Luchini sent a free kick from 30 yards to the top of the six-yard box. Doyle Tuvesson was making a diagonal run to the center of the box and was able to simply redirect Luchini's service inside the right post to put Lehigh on top, 2-1.
Robert Morris tied the game after a long ball down the middle of the field off the foot of
Matt Fonagy found the head of Brett who flicked it toward goal. Lehigh keeper Joe Bogan misplayed the high bounce and
Rafael Bruzual, who came on just moments earlier, beat everyone to the ball and headed it home for his first goal of the season in the 85th minute.
Lehigh had a chance to end the game in the 92nd minute. After being taken down the Robert Morris box, Jack Miskel stepped up to the ball for a penalty kick chance.
Brenden Alfery dove to his right, but the left footed shot was down the middle. Alfery somehow dragged his left foot behind him, knocking the ball wide of the left post and controlling the rebound.
Undeterred, the Mountain Hawks continued pressing even as the game went into double-overtime. The gamewinning goal was started with a pass out of the defensive third as Forrest sent Tuvesson free down the right wing. Tuvesson hit a cross and found Luchini who sent his first touch inside the near right post for the gamewinning goal just 25 seconds into the second overtime.
Robert Morris returns to the pitch Tuesday, Sept. 22, when they make the short trip to the Oakland section of Pittsburgh to take on the Pitt Panthers in a 7:00 p.m. match at the Petersen Sports Complex.
