LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Robert Morris University men's soccer team earned its first point of the season Monday with a 0-0 draw against the Green Bay Phoenix.
Sophomore goalkeeper Mike Zolnierczyk made two stops to earn his first clean sheet of the season in goal for the Colonials.
"I'm very proud of the team's effort today vs. a good Green Bay team," head coach Jason O'Keefe said. "We bent several times, but did not break. A shutout on the road is never easy in college soccer. We will recover and get back to work."
The Colonials earned a decent looking chance right off the opening kickoff Monday when Michael Petitti was awarded a free kick on the wing about 35 yards out, however is volley into the box was grabbed by Green Bay keeper Jamison Yoder before anything could come of it.
Minutes later a close call nearly put RMU in an early hole after a through ball from the midfield for the Phoenix turned into a dangerous scoring chance, however a diving header from Zolnierczyk to stop the initial attempt as well as some skillful defending to clear the follow up attempt off the line helped keep it 0-0 early.
The Colonials had another close call in the 14' after Green Bay appeared to score off of a cross into the box, however the official's flag immediately went up to signal offside and negate the goal for the Phoenix.
One last tense moment ended the half for RMU as Ethan Hoard's shot from the near post was cleared off the line and out before GB could capitalize.
After a halftime re-set, the Colonials continued to hunt for the opening goal however they first had to survive two shots and an early corner from the Phoenix in the first ten minutes of the second frame.
Lorenzo Guagneli earned what was perhaps the best look of the day for the Colonials in the 72', stepping into a strike from just inside the box, however his effort sailed high of the goal.
Jon Faynik found himself in a similar spot with under five to play in regulation, however his strike also went high of the target as the game headed into extra time.
Gustaf Moberg nearly ended things just seconds into the extra frame, however his strike after a racing effort down the field was saved by Yoder. Another volley from Moberg less than a minute later missed the mark entirely.
Two late corners from Green Bay in the game's final moments tested the Colonials back line one final time, but they managed to avoid the danger and come away with a point.
