Emmitsburg, Md. – One goal was enough for the Robert Morris University women's soccer team once again as Kasia Bak's strike in the 50th minute pushed the Colonials ahead of Mount St. Mary's, 1-0, this afternoon in Northeast Conference (NEC) play.
Robert Morris (4-11, 2-3 NEC) has bounced back from a five-game skid with a pair of victories on the weekend, keeping the Colonials in the hunt for an NEC Tournament berth. The visitors only generated two shots in the second half compared to five attempts from Mount St. Mary's (4-9-1, 0-4 NEC), but they were able to pick up the lone goal of the match despite the limited chances.
Serena Donmoyer earned the start between the sticks and was tested early, coming up big on a Shayna MacFarlane shot in the third minute. Maleha Kureishy then generated RMU's first shot of the game four minutes later, but it was stopped.
Bak, who led the Colonials with three shots on the afternoon, was stopped by the Mountaineer goalkeeper in the 22nd minute after an Erin Ritzer attempt was blocked. RMU continued to up the pressure as the half went on as Kristina Kelley had a chance at goal saved in the 30th minute, followed by an attempt by older sister Kayla ripped wide of the netting.
The Colonials picked up their goal five minutes into the second half with some brilliant teamwork between Kristina Kelley, Shannon Reagan, and Bak. Kelley connected on a long pass with her fellow first-year, who redirected it with a header to the junior midfielder. Bak then broke free from the Mount St. Mary's backline and struck a low shot to the far post for her second goal of the season.
The hosts increased their urgency after the tally, trying to the right combo for an equalizer. Gianna Pomykacz had a shot blocked in the 64th minute and Donmoyer gloved a Jenna Mount West strike in the 71st. Pomykacz had another crack at goal in the 75th minute that was saved, and saw a third attempt deflected by the RMU backline with eight minutes remaining.
Donmoyer made three saves to register the first shutout of her career.
Bak's game-winning tally gives her three points on the weekend and a team-high eight on the season – all of which have come in her last seven games.
Next up for Robert Morris is a date at Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday, Oct. 21 for a pivotal NEC match against a foe that owns an unbeaten mark (3-0-1) in conference play.
