Moon Township, Pa. – Recently, when the Robert Morris University women's soccer team has played Fairleigh Dickinson, it's a fair assumption to believe that the game will come down to the wire.
This evening was no different as a golden goal by Jane Schleicher in the 107th minute lifted the Colonials to a 2-1 victory over the Knights, who were previously undefeated in Northeast Conference (NEC) play.
Last season it was an Erin Ritzer goal in the 76th minute that proved to be the difference in Robert Morris' 1-0 victory at Fairleigh Dickinson. Previously, the Knights defeated the Colonials with a 73rd minute stunner in the 2015 NEC Championship Game.
Schleicher made it two of the last three meetings claimed by Robert Morris (4-11-0, 2-4-0 NEC) as the junior buried a one-touch cross from Maleha Kureishy. The game-winning tally came from some build-up in possession, as Kristina Kelley played the initial ball to Kureishy for the service into the box. Schleicher also needed just a single touch to finish, tucking it inside the far right post past the Fairleigh Dickinson (6-8-2, 4-1-0 NEC) goalkeeper.
Kelley opened the scoring in the 54th minute with her team-high seventh goal of the season. A deflection from a Knights defender placed the ball on a tee for the sophomore midfielder, who used her strong right leg to fire a rocket into the upper left 90.
That opportunity for Kelley almost didn't come about however, as Sydney Bruckner made a trio of saves in the moments leading up to it. Bruckner first stopped Jessi Reinhardt on a redirection in the 47th minute, flashing her left hand just in the nick of time. The freshman then picked up two more stops on Reinhardt before Viktorija Misejic ripped a shot wide of the netting.
RMU nearly made it 2-0 in the 82nd minute as the freshman duo of Taylor Burkley and Kaele Kloc created an opportunity inside the 18. Burkley played a through ball into the box for Kloc, but her attempt was blocked by one of the FDU centerbacks.
After avoiding danger, the visitors found an equalizer in the 83rd minute. Reinhardt swung in a free kick from the left side, connecting with the head of Elma Kolenovic for the goal.
The tying goal didn't seem to affect the Colonials as they controlled both overtime periods. RMU almost scored early in the first extra frame as Erin Ritzer played a ball up to Kasia Bak, who dragged a shot just wide of the far left post. Schleicher and Kelley then forced Amanda Fitzgerald into a pair of saves to keep the pressure on.
Schleicher and Kelley combined for nine of RMU's 14 shots on the afternoon. Bruckner made eight saves in the victory.
Robert Morris completes its home slate on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1:00 p.m. against Mount St. Mary's. Prior to the contest, the Colonials will recognize the careers of six seniors (Kasia Bak, Maddison Duncan, Kayla Kelley, Maleha Kureishy, Greer Monahan, Erin Ritzer) who will play in their final game at the North Athletic Complex.
