PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Robert Morris University men's soccer team hits the road this weekend when they head to Akron, Ohio for a Friday night showdown with the Zips.
Robert Morris (0-2-0, 0-0-0 Horizon League) vs. Akron (2-0-0, 0-0-0 MAC)
Friday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. in Akron, Ohio
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LAST TIME OUT
The Colonials kicked off the 2021 fall campaign a week ago with a pair of non-conference matchups against West Virginia and Duquesne.
After dropping their home opener to the Mountaineers 2-0, RMU stormed back with a dramatic performance in game two, scoring twice in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Dukes in Pittsburgh. Gal Ben Dayan and Owen Jowett each recorded their first career NCAA goals in the loss.
CAREER FIRSTS
Opening week saw a number of new additions to the Colonials check off some significant milestones in their still young NCAA careers.
The aforementioned Ben Dayan and Jowett each picked up their first career NCAA goals, while Friedrich Petrelli made his collegiate debut in goal Sunday against the Dukes. Hugo Kadima also picked up an assist in the performance, his first as a member of RMU.
Nathaniel David, Connor Hain, Jacob Haskins, Noe Bijou, Gabe Norris, Colton Spence and Drew Kemper all made their Colonials debuts as well over the weekend.
TEAM LEADERS
Ben Dayan and Jowett are currently tied for the team lead in goal with one apiece, while Kadima leads the pack with one assist.
Keepers Mike Zolnierczyk and Friedrich Petrelli have split starting duties so far through two games, with Petrelli making nine saves in the Colonials OT loss.
Nine Colonials have started both games so far for RMU, with Nathaniel David leading the squad in total shots with five.
SCOUTING THE ZIPS
Akron is already off to an impressive starts to the season at 2-0 with a 7-1 win over Horizon League foe Wright State as well as a 2-1 victory over the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing on Monday.
RMU is 1-7 all-time against the Zips in a rivalry dating back to 1994, however the two squads have not faced off since a 1-0 OT loss in Akron in September of 2006.
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation at .758, with an overall record of 214-57-33. Redshirt junior Diogo Pacheco returns to the Zips in 2021 after leading them in goals (three), points (six) and shots (18) a season ago.
NEXT UP
Robert Morris kicks off Horizon League play next week when they travel to Highland Heights, Kentucky for a showdown with Northern Kentucky on September 11 at 7:00 PM.
