PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A hat trick and an assist from Bryan Akongo helped lift the Robert Morris men's soccer team to a 4-1 win over the VMI Keydets Wednesday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex.

Gal Ben Dayan also scored for RMU, while Nathaniel David recorded a pair of assists in the win. Evan Lamarca recorded his first collegiate point with an assist as RMU improves to 4-9 overall.

The Colonials were all over the Keydets early, rushing out to a 6-1 advantage in total shots through the first 20 minutes. 

After Akongo and Ben Dayan both misfired on chances early, a second effort from Akongo found its target, however VMI keeper Broden Schull was up to the task on the save. 

After another close call from Connor Hain that just missed, Akongo finally broke through and capitalized off the pressure,  finishing off a beautiful service into the box from David with a leaping header to give RMU the 1-0 lead in the 22'. 

Despite the advantage in possession, a well-placed strike off a free kick near the edge of the box from VMI's Nate Lam tied things up in the 32' as the Keydets leveled the score before the half. 

Despite the setback, RMU kept its foot on the gas and soon found themselves back in the lead after Ben Dayan got a foot on a shot from David near the goal line that re-directed into the goal to give RMU a 2-1 advantage.

With some breathing room secure, Akongo put the finishing touches on a phenomenal afternoon, pushing it to 3-1 after a great run down the middle of the pitch that saw the freshman split two defenders before tucking a shot around an onrushing Schull.

He found the back of the net one more time with under five minutes to play to help the Colonials secure the 4-1 win at home.

SCORING PLAYS

22' - Akongo, Assist: David, Lawrence

32' - Lam

67' - Ben Dayan, Assist: Akongo, David

72' - Akongo

76' - Akongo, Assist: Lamarca

QUICK HITS

Akongo recorded a hat trick plus an assist for a career high seven-point day…First RMU hat trick since Neco Brett in 2015…David posted two assists…Evan Lamarca recorded his first career NCAA point with an assist…Ben Dayan scored his third of the year…Grant Glorioso earned his third win of the year in goal

QUOTABLES

"Before their first goal, we could have scored a couple more, so I think when they scored it really woke us up. Coming into the second half we were really just looking to execute all the plays we practice in training but also to play with more intensity. Playing as a team and not as an individual, that's what you saw the last 35 minutes there." - Bryan Akongo

"The goal was to move the ball a little bit better, and for us being such a young team any game for us is a learning experience so we embrace them all. Just trying to go a little bit more up-tempo, play with possession and generate chances was the focus, as well as to just play more guys. Detroit is off this week so we had to manage our minutes and play a lot of guys and we were able to do that." - Head Coach Jason O'Keefe

NEXT UP

RMU heads to the Motor City for a showdown with the Detroit-Mercy Titans Saturday at 7:00 PM.