MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Freshman forward Sheridan Reid netted her first career NCAA goal, lifting the Robert Morris University women's soccer team to a 1-1 draw with Purdue Fort Wayne in Sunday's home opener at the North Athletic Complex.

Reid, who hails from the Harrisburg suburb of Camp Hill, Pa., slid into the right side of the penalty area in the 79th minute and calmly slotted a grounded pass from fellow first-year Colonials attacker Kayla Veloso-Lima.

RMU (0-1-1) had trailed from the 16th minute onward in front of a boisterous home crowd made up of fellow student-athletes, so Reid's magic moment delivered an emotional payoff.

"It was exciting," Reid said. "Definitely wasn't expecting to get one this early into the season. I'm proud of it."

Reid's finishing touch culminated a slick counterattack combination that took flight when senior Kristina Kelley fed a through-ball to Veloso-Lima, who one-touched it into Reid's path. Purdue Fort Wayne keeper Lorah Pund didn't have much of a chance, rushing out in desperation as the Colonials perforated her back line.

"I don't think the defender saw me running behind her," Reid said. "Just got past her and squeezed through and played it past the goalie."

Sounds simple enough, but the visiting Mastodons (0-1-1) had the edge in play through the first 45 minutes, including Morgan Reitano's knuckling 20-yard blast that eluded RMU starting goalkeeper Julia Schmid. Purdue Fort Wayne outshot RMU 7-3 in the opening half, putting three of those shots on target.



Colonials head coach John Kowalski chalked up the "lethargic" start to an early injury to junior midfielder Taylor Burkley, plus the realities of dressing seven freshman and a transfer. Kowalski said he was encouraged by the increased attack cohesion following intermission, as RMU generated 10 combined shots in the second half and the 20-minute overtime.

Of note: Freshmen Veloso-Lima (two shots), Reid (two), Gabriella Lecuona (two) and Sofie Lien Fagereng (one) joined forces for seven of the Colonials 13 shots toward goal.

"It took us a while to get going," said Kowalski, now starting his 19th season leading the team. "We had a lot of freshmen in the attack. Second half and overtime were much better than the first half. We had a little regrouping at halftime."

Added Reid: "It was just about cleaning things up and playing the way we should be playing."

Part of that rebound involved junior keeper Sydney Bruckner, who entered the game at the half and made six saves. That marks back-to-back strong appearances for the central Pennsylvanian, who was also crucial in keeping RMU alive in Thursday's season-opening overtime loss at Bucknell.

Bruckner saved her finest moments for late, when she twice had to sprint off her line to smother chances point-blank.

"Syd is very steady and consistent," Kowalski said. "She wins a lot of aerial balls. There's a little bit of lack of communication right now (between the keeper and the back line). All these are coachable moments. We'll learn as we go."

Actually, the Colonials nearly picked up a victory to go with the non-conference tutorial, as junior midfielder and Norwin grad Brittany O'Connell twice appeared to score from distance, only to watch Pund leap to tap the ball over the goal. Senior defender Megan DiNatale also nearly put RMU ahead in the second half when her deep cross deflected off Pund and the crossbar.

Regardless of the close calls, the Colonials can hang their hats on the fact they were better as the match wore on, a pattern they hope to replicate as they approach Northeast Conference play at the end of September.

"We're still finding out a lot of information about the new players, who can do what and in what situations," Kowalski said. "It'll take about three or four games before we put the whole thing together. That's OK. You have to grow into the season. That's where we are."

RMU will take on a week of practice before returning to its home field Saturday to host Niagara. Kickoff at the North Athletic Complex is scheduled for 1 p.m.