PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Three different goalscorers combined to help the Robert Morris University men's soccer team win its second straight game Saturday afternoon, taking down the UIC Flames at the North Athletic Complex, 3-2.

Ethan Romito, Kelvin Ramirez, and Owen Jowett each scored for RMU in the win, with Ramirez earning his first career NCAA goal on the eventual game-winner.

The Colonials and Flames battled each other and the elements for much of Saturday's game, fighting through a steady rain and slick field conditions that made precision passing difficult for both sides. 

Though the Flames managed to enjoy significant possession in the opening half, the Colonials stuck to their structure and survived the push without giving up a lot in terms of quality chances. 

A pair of chances in the box for UIC, including a good look from Fransisco Espinoza were blocked away or sailed wide of the target as the Colonials were able to maintain the stalemate in the early going. 

RMU eventually found it footing offensively, however, and after close calls from Preston Rushmore and Evan Lamarca, Romito finally hit pay dirt for RMU in the 42', taking a feed in the box from Lucas Shearer before slotting in a hard, low shot inside the near post.

UIC answered right back to start the second, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 52' after Nkusuwila Zulu got separation in the box and beat Glorioso with a strike.

The back and fourth second half continued following the tying goal and RMU responded in a huge way, going up 2-1 after a great feed from Bryan Akongo off the counter attack found Jowett in the box before the freshman put home the effort.

UIC leveled once again in the 67' after an unfortunate handball in the box on RMU gave Younes Dayekh a PK. Though Glorioso made the initial save, Dayekh was able to follow up his rebound and put home the second effort to even it up again at 2-2.

The Colonials had one more answer, however, and this time it was Ramirez who stepped up and played the hero, leaning into a feed from Nathaniel David and beating the UIC keeper from just outside the box just minutes after the Flames tally to put RMU up 3-2 with just over twenty minutes left.

A push from UIC proved fruitless as the Colonials held on for their second straight win.

SCORING PLAYS

42' - Romito, Assist: Masson, Shearer

52' - Zulu, Assist: Perez Flores

63' - Jowett, Assist: Akongo

67' - Dayekh

70' - Ramirez, Assist: David

QUOTABLES

"They were Champions for a reason, they've been doing it a long time, and when you want to win against them you have to have one of your best days. I just think today was a complete team effort where you saw everyone buy into the role they had to play." - Head Coach Jason O'Keefe

"I'm very proud of everybody. Coach O'Keefe has changed the culture already, and it's starting to show. We were put under tough circumstances when they got the goals, it was raining hard, but we still adapted and overcame and found a way to win." - Kelvin Ramirez

QUICK HITS

First collegiate goal from Ramirez…Jowett and Romito are now tied with Gal Ben Dayan for the team lead in goals (two)…Grant Glorioso earned his second straight win in goal…First back-to-back wins for RMU since joining Horizon League

NEXT UP

The Colonials play host to Cleveland State this Wednesday, October 13 at 2:00 PM at the NAC.