Milwaukee, Wisc. – Sydney Bruckner surpassed her career high in saves for the second time this season, but Milwaukee found the back of the net in the last minute of the first half to top the Robert Morris University women's soccer team, 1-0, this evening from Laura Moynihan Field at Englemann Stadium.
Winners of 17 of the past 18 Horizon League regular-season titles, Milwaukee (3-0-0, 0-0-0 Horizon League) kept Bruckner and the Robert Morris (1-4-0, 0-0-0 NEC) defense on its toes for the duration of the contest. The sophomore goalkeeper topped her nine-save performance against Ohio on Aug. 19 with 13 stops this evening, eight of which came in the opening 45 minutes.
After Jane Schleicher forced a save out of Elaina LaMacchia in the ninth minute, Bruckner matched the Panthers netminder with a pair of stops on Haley Johnson and Taylor Tabbert. In the 30th minute, the sophomore leaped up to snatch a header from McKaela Schmelzer at its highest point.
Bruckner racked up eight saves over the first 44 minutes, but the ninth shot on target made it through. McKenna Stratton found the back of the net with a glancing header, as it tucked inside the far post.
In the 52nd minute, Bruckner established a new career standard with her 10th save as she stopped an attempt from Chandler McDaniel.
Kristina Kelley nearly found an equalizer in the 75th minute as her shot was punched away by LaMacchia. Nothing came from the ensuing corner kick by Courtney Hurey, which ended up being the Colonials' final chance.
Bruckner's 13 saves are the most for a RMU goalkeeper since Nov. 2, 2014, when Becky Schoenecker stopped 16 shots in a 1-1 draw at Bryant.
Robert Morris completes a four-match road trip on Sunday, Sept. 2 at 2:00 p.m. against Valparaiso.
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