Moon Township, Pa. – Despite going down to 10 men late in the second half, the Robert Morris University men's soccer team managed to defeat Sacred Heart University in overtime this afternoon, 1-0, thanks to a Keane McIvor penalty kick in the 92nd minute.
With the victory, Robert Morris (4-9-3, 3-2-1 NEC) moves into sole possession of third place in the Northeast Conference (NEC) standings. Two of the three teams (Bryant, Fairleigh Dickinson) that were tied with the Colonials in the table entering today are set to play tomorrow after inclement weather forced postponements.
RMU held the majority of possession in the first half, but was unable to come away with a goal. Its best chance in the opening frame came in the 14th minute, when Bayley Winkel's curler was gloved by Sacred Heart (3-12-3, 0-5-1 NEC) goalkeeper Robert Strain.
The Colonials continued to put on the pressure to begin the second half, forcing Strain into three saves over 26 minutes. However, the momentum shifted in the 79th minute when Zac Sherman was given a red card and sent off, leaving the hosts a man short for the remainder of the contest. The Pioneers responded by creating more chances with the man advantage and made Winter Fondi stop a pair of shots over the last five minutes of regulation.
Once overtime was reached, it didn't take long for the extra frame to conclude. Just 1:51 into the overtime, RMU won a free kick from about 25 yards out and swung in a cross inside the 18. A SHU defender was whistled for a handball, allowing McIvor the chance to win it from the penalty spot. The senior did just that, calmly tucking a shot inside the left post for his second goal of the season.
Fondi made three saves to earn his third clean sheet of the season.
Prior to the game, the Colonials recognized their nine seniors (Rafael Bruzual, Jake Cooper, Damian DiFlorio, Zach Graziani, Bennett Jull, Corey McCurdy, Keane McIvor, Eddie Thomas, Bayley Winkel) as a part of Senior Day festivities.
Robert Morris looks to secure its spot in the NEC Tournament on Friday, Nov. 3 at 1:00 p.m. when it travels to Keystone State rival Saint Francis U.
