Men's Soccer | 10/3/2019 11:37:00 AM

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Unbeaten in Northeast Conference play, the Robert Morris University men's soccer team will hit the road for the first time in nearly a month, taking on a pair of league foes on a weekend trip to New England.

ROBERT MORRIS (2-6-2, 1-0-1 NEC) at MERRIMACK (3-3-2, 1-0-0 NEC)
Friday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m.
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

ROBERT MORRIS at CENTRAL CONNECTICUT (0-6-1, 0-1-0 NEC)
Sunday, Oct. 6 at 3:30 p.m.
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

LAST WEEK
The Colonials didn't concede a single goal in 200 minutes of action, going 1-0-1 in their opening weekend of Northeast Conference competition. Last Friday, sophomore Riccardo Rota's late cross led to the winning own goal against Mount St. Mary's; on Sunday, freshman keeper Mike Zolnierczyk recorded his second straight shutout in a .scoreless draw against Fairleigh Dickinson.

KNOW BOBBY MO
• Until last weekend, goalkeeper was a position of intrigue, with three keepers starting at least twice through the opening seven matches. However, Zolnierczyk has gotten three consecutive starts since. Last year's WPIAL Class A player of the year at Springdale High School has stopped nine of 10 shots over that stretch, raising his season save percentage to .735.

• Since RMU returned just three goals from last season, this year figured to require scoring by committee. As such, seven players have at least a point through eight games, and five have scored a goal. Senior forward Christian Coridon is the only Colonial to factor in on multiple tallies; the New Jersey native has a goal and an assist, plus a team-high 18 shots.

• The RMU back line has been regularly manned by NCAA veterans. Senior Christopher Coridon and junior Oeyvind Skjesol have both started all 10 games to date, matching sophomore midfielder Lorenzo Guagneli in that category. Two WPIAL products regularly patrol the wings: Senior Noah Elamin (Shaler Area) and junior Matt Cillo (South Fayette - pictured above) have gotten nine starts each.

• Slow starts haven't doomed RMU in the recent past. Last year, the Colonials went six (0-5-1) without a win, but still won four times in NEC play, barely missing 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.

• Although it wasn't a problem last weekend, RMU has trailed in all eight of its 10 games so far, carrying a deficit into halftime five times. The Colonials have been outscored 12-2 before halftime, while the earliest goal they've gotten has come in the 39th minute.

• 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 15-18-5 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.

• The Colonials welcome seven newbies, three of those from the Pittsburgh region. Sophomores Nick Williams and Grant Glorioso both transfer 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.

HISTORY LESSON
The Colonials have never played NEC newcomer Merrimack, based in northeastern Massachusetts, but they have a long history with Central Connecticut, including four consecutive one-goal decisions. Last October, the Blue Devils broke RMU's three-match win streak in the all-time series, claiming a 1-0 win in Moon Township. Then-freshman Rota led RMU with five shots (three on target) in that matchup.

OPPOSITION RESEARCH
Merrimack started 2019 with two consecutive wins, but the Warriors have triumphed just once in six matches since. Fortunately for Tony Martone's squad, that one victory was last Friday against NEC foe Sacred Heart. Ten Warriors have at least a point so far, with senior Norwegian Aasmund Joedahl leading the way at five (2g, 1a). 

Winless on the season, Central Connecticut has been outscored 27-4 while dropping all but one game. The Blue Devils have allowed multiple goals in all but one match, a 1-1 draw against Rhode Island on Sept. 17. No one has multiple goals for 35th-year head coach Shaun Green, but senior midfielder Eddie Yepes has assisted on three of CCSU's tallies so far.

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

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.

NEXT WEEK
The Colonials return home next week for a single match at the North Athletic Complex. Next Friday's kickoff against NEC opponent Bryant is set for 3:30 p.m.