Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University women's soccer program beat YSU, 2-1 in their final conference game of the season. RMU finishes up the 2023 regular season with an 11-4-3 overall record and 5-4-1 record in the Horizon League. YSU ends their campaign with a 7-7-3 overall record and 3-5-2 record in conference games. The Colonials will be the #4 seed in the Horizon League Playoff Tournament.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Within two minutes of the game, goalkeeper
Brenna Murray was tested early on, making her first save of the night.
The Colonials began to pick up momentum after the first 10 minutes, settling in against YSU's 4-4-2 formation.
From the 10th to 20th minute, RMU posted the next three shots in a row.
Earning a corner kick in the 29th minute, the captain
Kaoru Hayashi approached the corner to cross in the ball. Off her cross, the ball bounced loose and senior defender
Kristi Kania hammered in her first career goal at a vital moment in the season.
For the remainder of the first half, both sides didn't engage too often on the offensive end and the Colonials remained ahead, 1-0 after 45 minutes.
Entering the second half, RMU played disciplined defense, not allowing a shot on goal for the next 25 minutes.
Around the 70th minute, Hayashi almost scored twice. On her first opportunity, the Penguins tried to clear the ball out from their back line. Hayashi on one touch maneuvered around a defender and hit a volley for an almost highlight reel goal, being saved by the YSU keeper.
A moment later, Hayashi around the same spot possessed the ball outside the 18-yard box. She hit a screamer off the crossbar, inches away from extending the lead.
Following Hayashi's chances, in a similar situation, Swankler hit two shots on goal in the matter of seconds, but both were saved.
She was denied twice, but not for a third time…
Hayashi from the corner mark again crossed it in. Basically, repeating the first goal, YSU couldn't clear it and Swankler smashed in her first goal of the season.
After going down, 0-2, the Penguins still had some fight left in them before time ran out. Over the last 15 minutes they paced for seven more shots.
With five minutes to go, YSU finally got on the board off a free kick opportunity. Crossing it in from distance, Chloe Weiland finished off the pass at the back post.
Eventually, time ran out and the Colonials celebrated their final regular season win, pushing them into the Horizon League playoffs.
SCORING PLAYS AND CAUTIONS
29' – Goal: Kristi Kania (1), Assisted by: Kaoru Hayashi (6)
30' – Yellow Card: Kaoru Hayashi
65' – Yellow Card: Justine Appolonia
72' – Yellow Card: Lidia Nduka
77' – Goal: Paloma Swankler (1), Assisted by: Kaoru Hayashi (7)
84' – Yellow Card: Mara Jaracz
85' – Goal: Chloe Weiland (4), Assisted by: Justine Appolonia (2)
COLONIALS CLUTCH ON CORNER KICKS
Both goals were scored tonight off a corner kick opportunity. Hayashi earned the assist on both occasions, crossing the first ball in with her right foot and the second time with her left. Leading the back line,
Kristi Kania scored her first career goal. She now owns one goal and two assists in her career. Sophomore
Paloma Swankler cashed in for her first goal of the campaign and third in her career.
QUOTABLE
"We're so excited for this team. They have been fantastic all season and definitely deserved to be playing in the postseason. We had some great individual performances tonight but this was a team win tonight. This whole team contributed to this result. Our bench was amazing with their enthusiasm and cheering. I honestly believe we would not be where we are without their positivity and support from the sideline." – Head Coach
Chris Shaw
UP NEXT
RMU will officially be the #4 seed for the 2023 Horizon League playoff tournament. They'll host #5 Wright State on Sunday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m.
RELATED: 2023 Horizon League Women's Soccer Playoff Bracket
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