Men's Soccer | 10/23/2019 11:15:00 PM

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Tied for the final postseason spot in the Northeast Conference, the Robert Morris University men's soccer team hosts a single match this weekend, taking on Sacred Heart on Friday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex.

ROBERT MORRIS (3-9-2, 2-3-1 NEC)
vs. SACRED HEART (2-8-2, 1-2-2 NEC)
Friday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m.
North Athletic Complex
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

CATCHING UP 
The Colonials couldn't make anything happen on a rainy Sunday in Brooklyn, falling 5-0 to St. Francis in their lone match of the weekend. RMU had three of the five shots on goal in the first half, but trailed 2-0 at the break. RMU fell to 1-4 away from home this season, including three shutout defeats. 

Although the loss stung the Colonials remained in a tie for fifth place with Long Island in the NEC standings. Since first-place Merrimack is ineligible to make the postseason in its Division I probationary period, finishing in fifth would be good enough to qualify for the four-team NEC tournament.

HISTORY LESSON
The Colonials have won five of their past six against Sacred Heart, including their past three in Moon Township via shutout. Last year in Connecticut, RMU popped in three goals to run away with the road victory; Class of 2019 members Owen Pearce and Zac Sherman each recorded a goal and an assist in the game, each factoring in on the other's goal.

OPPOSITION RESEARCH
Sacred Heart dropped its first two NEC contests, but the Pioneers are unbeaten since, drawing Long Island and Fairleigh Dickinson before beating Mount St. Mary's 3-1 last weekend. The offensive outburst not only broke a five-match scoreless slump for the team, it also marked the second hat trick in team history, notched by striker Segundo Navarro. In fact, the sophomore Spaniard has all six Sacred Heart goals this season.

KNOW BOBBY MO
• Since RMU returned just three goals and four assists from last season's roster, this year figured to require scoring by committee. As such, eight players have at least a point through 15 games, and six have scored a goal. Sophomore Riccardo Rota is the only player with multiple goals (four), while classmate Cristian Palermo (three assists) and freshman Michael Petitti (two) are the top two playmakers.

• The RMU back line has been regularly manned by NCAA veterans. Senior Christopher Coridon and junior Oeyvind Skjesol have both started all 15 games to date, not missing a minute in the process. Two WPIAL products regularly patrol the wings: Senior Noah Elamin (Shaler Area) and junior Matt Cillo (South Fayette) have gotten 13 starts each.

• Freshman goalkeeper Mike Zolnierczyk (pictured above) has taken over the Colonials' No. 1 job, starting seven straight games after appearing in just two of the first seven. Last year's WPIAL Class A player of the year at Springdale High School has allowed one goal or fewer in four of his past seven appearances, including consecutive clean sheets Sept. 27 and 29 in NEC play.

• In the past three games, the Colonials have begun to correct their first-half struggles from the start of the year. On the season, RMU has been outscored 15-4 before the intermission, carrying a deficit into halftime seven times; however, over the past three, they've scored two before the half while conceding just two. 

• Although the Colonials won just once in their non-conference slate, that hasn't meant much in recent history. Last year, RMU was 0-5-1 entering NEC play, but won four times in league, nearly making the postseason tournament. In 2017, they dropped their first six and went their first nine (0-7-2) without a victory. However, they won three times in league and made the NEC tourney.

• The Colonials welcome seven newcomers -- three from the Pittsburgh region. Sophomores Nick Williams and Grant Glorioso both transferred in after matriculating from North Allegheny, with Zolnierczyk further raising the Yinzer quotient. There's international flair, too, with Michael Petitti (Canada) and Said Samara Hernandez (Costa Rica) joining fellow attackers Ethan Romito of Maryland and Jon Faynik from Minnesota.

• According to a preseason coaches poll, the Colonials were picked to finish sixth of nine teams in the NEC. RMU has finished fifth or higher in the NEC in four of the past five seasons, posting a 16-19-5 record against league foes since the 2014 campaign.

• For the first time in program history, the Colonials will play 11 home games at the North Athletic Complex, including six in a row from Sept. 12-29. That homestand matched one from 1991 for the longest in team annals. The friendly schedule came to the forefront in non-conference play, as RMU will played two of seven on the road before facing NEC opponents.

HONOR ROLL
The following Colonials have been honored by the NEC this season ...
Mike Zolnierczyk - Prime Performer (Oct. 1)
Riccardo Rota - Prime Performer (Oct. 8)

THE DENNISTON FILE
Returning for his 23rd season in charge of the Colonials, Bill Denniston is the longest-tenured varsity head coach on campus. RMU has made seven NEC tournaments under Bethany College grad, winning the 2005 edition and making the NCAA Tournament. Denniston also led RMU to a regular-season NEC title in 2001, taking league Coach of the Year honors in the process.

Twenty-three players have made All-NEC teams under his tutelage, with several of those going on to sign pro contracts. The Jamaican attacking duo of Neco Brett and Devon Williams headline that group, as both currently star in the second-tier USL Championship here in the States. Denniston is joined on staff by sixth-year assistant Brandon Regan, who focuses on goalkeepers.

MARCH WITH THE COLONIALS
In addition to reports and videos on RMUColonials.com, check out Twitter and Instagram for news and updates throughout the season.

UP NEXT
RMU will play its 11th and final home fixture of the season on Friday, Nov. 1, welcoming a restructured Long Island side to the NAC for a match that could decide who makes the NEC tournament and who goes home. Kickoff on Senior Day is scheduled for 3 p.m.