Men's Soccer | 9/30/2016 10:14:00 AM

Capsule
The Robert Morris University men's soccer team looks to rebound from a two-game skid when it begins a pair of road matches against Howard University at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. The Colonials have been held scoreless over the last two games, despite holding an edge of 15-11 against Duquesne and George Washington in first half shots. Howard enters this contest with an overall record of 1-8-2, with its lone victory coming on Saturday, Sept. 3 against VMI, 2-0. The Bison have played four teams from the Northeast Conference (NEC) this year, holding a 0-2-2 record in those contests.
 
All-Time Series vs. Howard
The series between Robert Morris and Howard has been played each year since 2013, with the Colonials coming out victories in all three previous meetings. Last year, RMU used goals from Neco Brett, Lucas Puntillo, and Jared Latchford to defeat the Bison, 3-0. In the teams' trio of tilts, the Colonials have outscored Howard by a total of 9-2.
 
Musket Shots
> Robert Morris rattled off three consecutive victories between Sept. 11-17, defeating St. Bonaventure (1-0), Pittsburgh (2-0), and Lehigh (2-1)
> The Colonials have fared better on the road in the early going, owning a 2-1 mark away from the North Athletic Complex
> Junior goalkeeper Winter Fondi is one of two netminders in the NEC to post multiple shutouts this season
> Junior forward Rafael Bruzual paces RMU with three goals on the campaign
> Sophmore midfielder Keane McIvor has provided all four assists for the Colonials
> RMU lost three home games to open the 2015 slate
> The Colonials were tied for fifth in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll with Bryant
> RMU went 10-8-1 last season
> A 4-2-1 NEC mark led the Colonials to their first postseason berth since 2016
> Thirteen letterwinners return to the squad including five of the six top scorers
> Bennett Jull, Keane McIvor, Lucas Puntillo and Zac Sherman all earned postseason recognition from the league last year
> Jull, McIvor and Puntillo were All-NEC Second Team selections
> Sherman and Puntillo were named to the NEC All-Rookie Team
> Puntillo is the leading returning scorer with five goals and six assists as a freshman
 
Coming Up
Robert Morris opens up league play on Friday, Oct. 7 at 2:00 p.m. against Fairleigh Dickinson. The Colonials defeated the Knights last season, 2-1, with a goal in the 64th minute by Zac Sherman.

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