Men's Soccer | 8/23/2023 10:00:00 AM

GAME 1
RMU (0-0 / 0-0 #HLMSOC) vs. VMI (0-0 / 0-0 #SoCon)
Thursday, Aug. 24 | 4:00 p.m.
North Athletic Complex | Moon Township, Pa.
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Spencer Witt
Twitter & Instagram: rmumsoccer
 
Opening Kick-Off

• The Robert Morris University men's soccer program officially begins their regular season at home against VMI, this Thursday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday's game will be RMU's first official home game for all sports for the 2023 fall semester.
• Last season, the Colonials finished 6-7-3 overall and 4-3-2 in conference play.
• In 2022, sophomore Victor Koah was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team. As a first-year, the England native recorded two goals and two assists.
• Also, this past season, Connor Hain was tabbed to the Horizon League All-Academic Team.
• And, senior Chase Gilley was awarded Offensive Player of the Week on two occasions in the 2022 campaign.
• RMU is led this year by a new staff, run by bench boss Jonathan Potter, along with his assistants Abraham Lopez-Mendoza and Austin Gorman, all entering their first seasons.

GAMEDAY LINKS
- Live Stats
- Live Video
- RMU Athletics Gameday App

The All-Time Series (VMI) – In program history, the Colonials have played the Keydets three times and have taken them down all three games. Last year, in Lexington, Va., RMU went down 1-0, eight minutes in. Later in the first half, Hugo Kadima scored off a pass from Darren Gray. Five minutes into the second half, Victor Koah scored the game winning goal, assisted by Logan Gilley. Back in 2021, RMU hosted VMI, putting on a clinic in the second half. After a 1-1 draw after 45 minutes, the Colonials pounded three goals in under 10 minutes. Current senior Evan LaMarca recorded an assist in the victory, as RMU won 4-1. The first game between these two programs was nine years ago in 2014, and the Colonials pulled away a clean sheet, winning 4-0. In these three games, RMU has outscored VMI, 10-2. Over 270 minutes of play, the Colonials have made 52 shots compared to the Keydets 24. And, have peppered more shots on goal, 22-11.
 
Scouting the Keydets – Across the 2022 season, VMI finished 2-14-1 and 0-5 in the Southern Conference. Their two wins came back-to-back in their non-conference schedule against Southern Virginia and Mary Baldwin. VMI has completed one scrimmage this year against UMBC. This will be their first regular season game of the season, as for RMU. Returning up front for the Keydets is junior Grant Martin. Last year he recorded three goals and one assist, finishing second on the team in points with seven. From a coaching standpoint, Nick Regan is entering his second season as head coach.
 
RETURNING VETERANS
The Colonials bring back some important pieces from last year's team that made it into the Horizon League playoff tournament. Leading goal scorer, Chase Gilley returns alongside his brother Logan Gilley for their senior seasons. Together, the twins provided eight goals and four assists in production. Continuing on the offense, the power forward Hugo Kadima, sniped in three goals last year and two assists.
 
In the midfield, Potter has a trio of three sophomore midfielders to work with. Victor Koah slides back into the lineup after receiving Horizon League All-Freshman honors in 2022. Alex Lorigny played in 10 games last year, and Anass Hadran appeared in all 16 games from the 2022 schedule, looking to provide an even bigger impact to the attacking third. Captain Gabe Norris from Natrona Heights takes on a new leadership role this season, wearing the armband. Defensively, Darren Gray and William Dodzi Afawubo will help bolster the backline with their experience.
 
GORMAN'S GOALIES
Going into the 2023 campaign, head coach Jonathan Potter along with goalie coach Austin Gorman brought in three freshmen goalkeepers. Gorman all preseason has been working in training with Giancarlo Acosta, Josh Lane and Kieran Gorgenyi. Acosta comes from Bernardsville, N.J. earning All-State honors his senior year of high school. Lane comes from England after spending time training with Leicester City FC's academy team and signing a scholarship with Aston Villa FC. And, out of North Reading, Mass., Gorgenyi enters his first collegiate season after being tabbed All-State as a senior. He also helped win his conference in 2020.

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