PHILADELPHIA -- Despite scoring their first goal from the run of play this season, the Robert Morris University men's soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision to La Salle on Saturday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium.

RMU senior back Christopher Coridon connected late in the first half off a corner-kick setup, but the Colonials (0-4-0) were unable to erase a hasty 2-0 deficit in their second road match of the week. Nigel Buckley scored the first and final goals for La Salle (2-1-0), which got some revenge for a loss in Moon Township last September. 

Buckley's chip-shot goal in the 80th minute clinched the result, capping a second half in which the two teams combined for just three shots on target. RMU freshman keeper Mike Zolnierczyk faced 24 La Salle shots in his second NCAA start, but just nine of those fired on frame. The Colonials generated nine shot attempts, putting four on La Salle goalie Brett Werner.

Continuing a trend from this young season, the Colonials fell behind early. This was the first time they've been down two after 10 minutes, though, as La Salle's Buckley (third minute) and Ike Hollinger (eighth) each scored goals from inside the penalty box. Buckley struck via a through-ball to his feet, while Hollinger finished a loose ball following a corner kick.

RMU has allowed 10 first-half goals through four games, trailing at the break in each of those. Through a half an hour of play Saturday, there wasn't much for the Colonials to hang their hats on, but the pitch began to tilt in the final 15 minutes before the brea. An extended stretch of possession in the Explorers' half led to a 39th-minute corner kick, on which RMU capitalized. 

Courtesy of Cristian Palermo's service over Werner's head, Coridon had an open net to look at from the back post. The New Jersey native chested the ball a few inches over the goal line before the Explorers cleared it out. With his second NCAA goal, Christopher joined his twin brother Christian (penalty kick vs. Oakland) as the only Colonials to score through the first four matches. 

RMU will now return home for a program record-tying six-match homestand, which begins next Thursday, Sept. 12, against Division I newcomer California Baptist. Kickoff against the Western Athletic Conference's Lancers is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the North Athletic Complex.