NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The Robert Morris University men's soccer team rebounded in a big way Sunday afternoon, reaching a season high for offense in a 3-1 victory at Central Connecticut.
 
Sophomore Riccardo Rota broke out with two goals, coming a crossbar away from a hat trick. Freshman Michael Petitti scored his first NCAA goal, while classmate Mike Zolnierczyk denied four shots for his second RMU victory.
 
"We got behind them quickly," head coach Bill Denniston said after his team's biggest offensive output since a 3-1 win over Sacred Heart last Sept. 30. RMU had scored just two total goals in its previous six games.
 
The Colonials (3-7-2, 2-1-1 NEC) started their first conference road trip Friday with a 6-0 loss at Merrimack, but with Sunday's victory, they're back at the top of the table with seven points. Bryant, Merrimack and Saint Francis each have six points.
 
On Sunday, RMU got its attack in gear in the third minute, as Rota pulled in a long ball from junior center back Oeyvind Skjesol and blasted a shot through CCSU keeper Jason Dubrovich from close range.
 
The Colonials doubled their advantage at the hour mark when the Ontario native Petitti buried the rebound of his initial shot. RMU clinched the result on 75 minutes with Rota's second tally. Sophomore Cristian Palermo found Rota with a square ball that found the Italian attacker on the doorstep.
 
Eddie Yepes pulled one back for the Blue Devils (0-8-1, 0-3-0 NEC) in the 79th minute, but it was too late for much drama to build.
 
With their final two-match weekend of the season in the rear view, the Colonials return home next Friday, Oct. 11, to challenge league foe Bryant. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.