Indianapolis, In. - The Robert Morris University men's soccer team secured its first ever Horizon League men's soccer playoff berth with a win over IUPUI Wednesday, taking down the host Jags 1-0 to close out the regular season 4-5-1 in conference play.

Bryan Akongo scored his team-leading fifth goal of the year for the Colonials while Grant Glorioso earned his second clean sheet in goal as RMU earned its first postseason berth since 2017.

The Jags came off the ball with a good first push on Senior Day in Indy, testing Grant Glorioso twice in the early going.

The junior keeper made stops on Matt Skaar and Logan Finnegan, while Akongo responded at the other end with the first good scoring chance of the game for RMU in the 12'

Both teams settled in after the initial flurry, each earning  a pair of corners over the next 35 minutes, however neither side was able to convert.

Some solid defensive work helped the Colonials neutralize a late push by the Jags as they tested Glorioso with  two more set pieces before the half was out.

Akongo fired another strike at Jags keeper Quinn McCallion in he 50' that was saved, however the freshman finally broke the stalemate for RMU in the 58', putting the Colonials up 1-0 off a feed from Lucas Shearer in the box with the first goal of the afternoon.

Bolstered by the Akongo tally, RMU kept its foot on the gas over the final 30 minutes while it searched for another. Tom Akinola got loose for a pair of chances but missed high on both, while Preston Rushmore was denied by McCallion in the 75'.

One final stop from Glorioso in the 90' proved to be enough as the Colonials held on to secure their first playoff berth since 2017.

SCORING PLAYS

58' - Akongo, Assist: Shearer

QUICK HITS

RMU secures its first postseason birth since 2017…Akongo finishes the regular season with a team-best five goals…Glorioso earned his second clean sheet of the year with five saves

QUOTABLES

"Today was a great team effort and performance. We dealt with some adversity, and the team rallied, stuck together and worked for each other ,and at the end of the day we were able to get the win. Always very difficult to go the road in the league and get three points, so we are pleased." - head coach Jason O'Keefe

NEXT UP

The Colonials will face Milwaukee in Milwaukee this Sunday, November 7 at 1:00 PM in the opening round of the 2021 Horizon League Tournament.