Moon Township, Pa. – A spirited battle eventually went the way of LIU Brooklyn as a pair of second half goals lifted the Blackbirds over the Robert Morris University men's soccer team, 3-1, in Northeast Conference (NEC) action this afternoon from the North Athletic Complex.
Robert Morris (3-6-2, 0-1-1 NEC) founds itself down early against defending NEC champion LIU Brooklyn (8-3-2, 2-0-1 NEC), but managed to find an equalizer midway through the first half. However, a 24-9 shot advantage and 7-0 difference in corner kicks provided the Blackbirds just enough opportunities to come away with the road victory.
LIU found the back of the net with its first shot on target, when Rasmus Hansen and Naeem Charles hooked up for a goal. Charles passed it into the box, giving Hansen enough space to work. Hansen calmly corralled the ball before ripping a shot far post to give the Blackbirds an early advantage.
A miscue by LIU in the 15th minute almost gave the Colonials a tying goal. A poor clear from the Blackbirds goalkeeper managed to find the feet of Bayley Winkel, who then passed it to Keane McIvor darting into the box. McIvor struck a strong left-footed shot, but it was gloved.
While the visitors continued to possess the ball, RMU made its chances count and came away with the equalizer in the 26th minute. A foul just outside the box gave McIvor a free kick, which he put over the wall and on target. The rebound trickled to Zac Sherman, who cleaned up the mess with his second goal of the season.
Winter Fondi made sure the score remained 1-1 seven minutes later when he saved a point blank shot from Charles. The Blackbirds closed the half with four corner kicks and a pair of attempts on target, but Fondi was there on both occasions.
Lucas Puntillo had an opportunity to give the Colonials their first lead in the 47th minute, but his strike was gloved. The counter-attack provided a prime chance for the visitors as Simen Hestnes found Giuseppe Barone in close; however, his shot rose a tad too high and clipped the crossbar.
Charles gave LIU a 2-1 advantage in the 69th minute when he found the back of the net off passes from Zach Peterson and Hestnes. The visitors sealed the victory 12 minutes later after Romario Guscott was brought down in the box, allowing Hansen to convert from the penalty spot.
Fondi made eight saves in the loss. McIvor led the RMU attack with five shots.
Robert Morris returns to the pitch on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 1:00 p.m. when it hosts St. Francis Brooklyn.
