STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Sophomore
Bailey Farabaugh delivered a stunning second-half strike, but the
Robert Morris University women's soccer team couldn't come all the way back, falling 2-1 at Wagner in a Friday night Northeast Conference fixture.
RMU (3-7-1, 1-2-0 NEC) trailed 2-0 in the 54th minute when Farabaugh, a graduate of Bethel Park High School and the Riverhounds Development Academy, collected her own blocked shot and blasted a rising shot from 20 yards. The strike hit the underside of the crossbar and spun over the goal line behind Wagner keeper Erin Kelly.
Farabaugh's second career goal was one of 12 shots on target for the Colonials, but they couldn't muster a second goal before time expired. Senior co-captain
Kristina Kelley had the best late chance, but her 10-yard shot off a penalty-box scramble ended up in Kelly's breadbasket.
Freshman
Sheridan Reid piled up a team-high six shots, three of those on frame, but RMU's three-goal striker was held off the score sheet. Eight of the Colonials' 10 outfield players created at least one shot, with 14 of RMU's 19 attempts coming after halftime.
"Maybe our best half of the season," remarked RMU head coach
John Kowalski. "We need to play the full 90 minutes like that."
Wagner (4-6-1, 2-0-1 NEC) remained unbeaten in league play with the help of an early goal. A fifth-minute Seahawks cross bounced off diving RMU keeper
Sydney Bruckner and right to Luisa Barone, who polished off the loose ball. The home side doubled its lead shortly before the half, when Kaitlyn Ross skillfully collected an aerial service and volleyed a perfect shot over a leaping Bruckner.
The Colonials controlled the second 45 minutes, outshooting Wagner 14-3, but they still dropped their first NEC road match. RMU will conclude its New York trip with a match at Long Island at 1 p.m. Sunday.
