Moon Township, Pa. – In a game that came down to set pieces, it was Niagara who topped the Robert Morris University women's soccer team, 2-1, this afternoon from a chilly and overcast North Athletic Complex.
Robert Morris (1-4-0, 0-0-0 NEC) held the majority of the first half possession, outshooting Niagara (2-1-1, 0-0-0 MAAC), 12-6, during the frame. However, a pair of second half free kicks taken were placed perfectly by Hadley Bucken, setting her teammates up for the tying and winning goals.
The Colonials didn't need long after the opening whistle to get on the board. In the fifth minute, Maddison Duncan crossed in a free kick from 30 yards out, landing at the feet of Kayla Kelley. Kelley then one-touched it to Jane Schleicher, who calmly finished at the far post for her second goal in as many games.
RMU kept the pressure on throughout the first half, but was unable to get a second tally. Kristina Kelley registered five shots in the first 45 minutes, including a header in the 36th minute that was blocked at the line by Purple Eagle goalkeeper Shania van Nuland.
Niagara picked up the equalizer in the 65th minute. Bucken played a free kick from about the same spot as RMU's tally, placing it in a spot where Bayley Sullivan was able to head it home to the left upper 90.
The winner came in the 83rd minute as Kelsey Lafferty tapped it over to Hailey Bicknell for a goal at the far post off another free kick.
Kristina Kelley and Schleicher each tallied a game-high five shots. Julia Schmid made three saves in the loss.
The assist on Schleicher's tally was Kayla Kelley's first of her career.
Robert Morris is back in action on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 3:00 p.m. when it travels to our nation's capital to take on Howard.
