(p/c: Justin Berl)
Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University women's soccer team dropped its Northeast Conference (NEC) opener in heartbreaking fashion this afternoon as a Bryant goal in the 108th minute lifted the Bulldogs over the Colonials, 2-1, in double overtime from the North Athletic Complex.
Robert Morris (2-8-0, 0-1-0 NEC) generated the majority of shots in the two overtime periods with a 7-3 edge, but Bryant (7-2-1, 1-0-0 NEC) was able to bury its lone chance in the second extra stanza to come away with three points.
The visitors needed just 99 seconds to dent the scoreboard. After a foul was committed inside the box, Haley Reddish stepped up and slotted home the penalty kick for her third goal of the season.
The Colonials almost had an early equalizer in the fifth minute. After some build-up in possession, Jane Schleicher placed a great through ball into the box for Greer Monahan. Monahan let loose a strong shot towards the left post, but Bulldogs goalkeeper Rachel Brightman managed to get a glove on it.
Sydney Bruckner kept RMU in it with a pair of saves in the second half's early moments. Bruckner first fully extended to get a glove on Alison Guilmette's curler to the far post, and later stopped a Reddish attempt off a corner kick.
Building off the two stops, the hosts found an equalizer in the 59th minute. Kristina Kelley took a free kick from just outside the box, ripping it just inside the far left post for her fourth goal of the season.
11 minutes later, Kelley almost had a second goal but her attempt from inside the box was blocked by a Bryant defender.
RMU took control just the start of the first overtime, generating a pair of chances in the 92nd minute. Schleicher sent Kelley forward with a through ball, but the sophomore's initial shot was stopped by Bulldogs netminder Meghan Dalton. After regaining possession, a second attempt by Kelley was blocked by the back line.
The Colonials continued to press and registered two more shots in the frame, but neither Maleha Kureishy in the 94th nor Ritzer in 99th found the back of the net.
In the 102nd minute, Monahan forced a save out of Dalton. Kelley followed that up with a deflected attempt 49 seconds later, and Anni Varjonen had a volley saved in the 103rd minute.
Bryant picked up the winner with 2:01 remaining on the clock thanks to a Kylie Ratelle shot from just outside the box.
Kelley led all players with five shots. Bruckner made six saves in the defeat.
Robert Morris concludes its homestand on Sunday, Oct. 1 at noon when Sacred Heart comes to the North Athletic Complex as a part of a doubleheader with the men's soccer team.
