Box Score Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University women's soccer team picked up right where they left off, beating Akron, 3-0.
RMU is now 3-0 to begin the 2023 season, and Akron falls to 1-2 overall.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
In the first half, both teams played mainly in the middle of the field. As both programs were feeling the game out for 45 minutes both sides were only able to get a few shots near the frame.
Just outside the box,
Taylor Day,
Malia Kearns and
Lidia Nduka all peppered shots towards goal.
Brenna Murray in net again for the Colonials saw five shots headed her way, but only needed to make one save in the first half.
During the quiet half, both RMU and Akron only earned one corner kick chance and each team was called for offsides three times.
With the win-streak on the line, sophomore
Malia Kearns took matters into her own hands. In the 57
th minute, on a beautiful passing play,
Renae Mohrbacher and
Elisa Corvalan both combined on the field, finding Kearns in the box to pass the ball in for the 1-0 lead.
About 15 minutes later, the Colonials took advantage of their next opportunity. Down the sideline, RMU had a throw-in.
Emily Rocco then found
Lidia Nduka inside the box, and the German slotted in her third goal of the season.
Only four minutes passed, Nduka would score a brace. This time,
Taylor Day found Nduka in the box. She beat a player and got one past the keeper on the right side of the net, making it 3-0.
For the remainder of the match, Akron attempted six more shots but only one reached the goal. The defense along with
Brenna Murray in net stood tall to achieve another clean sheet.
SCORING PLAYS
57' –
Malia Kearns (Goal), Assisted by:
Renae Mohrbacher,
Elisa Corvalan
73' –
Lidia Nduka (Goal), Assisted by:
Emily Rocco
76' –
Lidia Nduka (Goal), Assisted by:
Taylor Day
NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE FOR NDUKA
Lidia Nduka has found quick success at RMU. In her first three games, she's produced four goals. Last year at James Madison, Nduka scored six goals, making her just two away from tying her career-best. She leads all players in points with eight, and in shots with 11.
MURRAY AT THE MO
Graduate goalkeeper
Brenna Murray has also quickly found success at RMU. After earning Horizon League Under Armour Defensive Player of the Week honors in week one of the season, she followed up her first two efforts with another flawless performance between the posts. Against Akron, she made another four saves. On the season, Murray has now stopped 14 shots and has yet to give up a goal in 270 minutes of game-time.
SHAW'S STELLAR START
For the second time in program history, the Colonials begin the year with three consecutive wins. This was done last in 2013 as RMU beat Northern Kentucky, Niagara and Bucknell. RMU achieved a new record after their win in Akron, as the team for the first time ever hasn't allowed a goal in their first three matches.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
Helping the team through these first three games immensely has come from shut down defense by the Colonials backline.
Emily Rocco,
Kristi Kania,
Emerson Johngarlo and
Jillian Marvin played all 90 minutes against Akron. Rocco chipped in offensively as well, adding an assist on Nduka's first goal.
QUOTABLE
"Very pleased with the result today. The team worked extremely hard all over the field and did a great job executing the game plan. Also, I'm very happy with our finishing today. It's something we've talked about and worked on the last week and anytime you're able to score three goals in a game, that means we're doing something right. The energy of the players on the field and on the bench was great. To start off the season 3-0 and to have been on the road for all three games is a testament to the mental toughness of this group." – Head Coach
Chris Shaw
UP NEXT
RMU continues on the road, as they'll play Saint Francis next on Sunday, August 27 at 4:00 p.m. That'll be the end of their opening four-game road trip, and then face Indiana State on Thursday, August 31 at 4:00 p.m. for the team's home opener.
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