Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University women's soccer team fell to Keystone State rival Saint Francis University, 2-0, in the Colonials' Northeast Conference (NEC) opener this afternoon.
Robert Morris (2-11, 0-3 NEC) stayed even with Saint Francis (3-10, 1-1 NEC) in shots for the first half as each team attempted six apiece. However, the Red Flash controlled possession in the second half, ending with an 11-4 attempt advantage and an insurance goal.
The Colonials started strong, controlling possession in the early going. Kristina Kelley managed the first shot of the game in the sixth minute, seeing her strike blocked by a centerback. Less than a minute after, Erin Ritzer ripped a shot that was gloved by SFU goalkeeper Julia Hernan.
Kasia Bak forced Hernan into another save in the 16th minute and the hosts followed that up with another blocked attempt from the younger Kelley. Momentum seemed to swing the Red Flash's way after the second stop as Makenzie Shearson was forced into a pair of saves in a span of five minutes.
After a pair of attempts flew wide of the netting, SFU broke the deadlock in the 35th minute with some smooth passing. Leah Hardin chipped the ball into the box, leaving it for Gabi Morales. Morales one-touched it to Sara Suler, who had enough time to rip a strike past Shearson to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The Red Flash grabbed an insurance goal in the 67th minute when a cross from Alyssa McGhee was volleyed in by Hardin at the near post. RMU almost had an immediate answer, but Antonia Grese saw her shot saved by Hernan.
Shearson made six saves in the defeat. Ritzer and Bak each attempted a team-high three shots.
Robert Morris closes a two-match home stand next Friday, Oct. 14 at noon when it hosts LIU Brooklyn.
