NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Despite a career-best day from senior midfielder Nicolette Casarcia, the Robert Morris University women's soccer team was eliminated from Northeast Conference tournament contention with a 5-2 defeat Friday afternoon at Central Connecticut.
 
Casarcia, a Murrysville native and graduate of Plum High School, earned a goal and an assist as RMU (4-10-2, 2-5-1 NEC) tried to rally from a 3-0 halftime deficit. The Colonials were unable to come all the way back, however, insuring they wouldn't be able to climb into the top four of the 11-team league.

"We had a tough time getting things going," said RMU head coach John Kowalski. "Our 11-hour bus trip yesterday was still in our legs in the first half. After some halftime adjustments we played much better, but too little, too late."
 
Typically deployed as a holding midfielder, Casarcia entered the season with no points in 44 NCAA games, but her breakthrough goal Sept. 2 vs. Canisius locked up RMU's first win of the season. On Friday, she did herself one better at the attacking end.
 
Her 71st-minute long ball set up freshman Kayla-Veloso Lima for an icebreaking goal, tying Veloso-Lima with classmate Sheridan Reid for the team lead in goals, with four. Nine minutes later, Casarcia herself battled to blast Brittany O'Connell's corner kick home, pulling RMU within 4-2.
 
But the Blue Devils (8-4-4, 6-1-1 NEC) stretched their win streak to five, outscoring their opponents 20-2 over that impressive stretch. Led by Jenna Rae Covello's two goals, seven players recorded at least a point for Central Connecticut, which jumped into first place momentarily with the three points.
 
CCSU's potent attack made for a difficult afternoon for the RMU back line and junior keeper Sydney Bruckner, who nonetheless made nine saves. The Colonials entered the game allowing just 1.21 goals per game, which was pace for the best defensive record in 28 seasons of program history.

Five of RMU's 11 starters were freshmen, matching a season high. Angela Van Damia, Colleen Sullivan, Gabriella Lecuona, Reid and Veloso-Lima all got the call at the start. Classmate Jordan Rosengrant appeared as well, coming off the bench.

"They're getting some good experience, by fire," Kowalski said.
 
Robert Morris will conclude its 2019 road schedule Sunday afternoon in northern Massachusetts, where the Colonials will take on Division I newcomer Merrimack at 11 a.m.