GAME 5
RMU (2-0-2 / 0-0 #HLMSOC) @ NKU (0-0-3 / 0-0 #HLMSOC)
Saturday, Sep. 9 | 7:00 p.m.
NKU Soccer Stadium | Highland Heights, Ky.
TV: ESPN+
Twitter & Instagram: rmumsoccer
 
Opening Kick-Off

• The Robert Morris men's soccer team heads down to Kentucky for their first conference game against Northern Kentucky on Saturday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m.
• Both programs head into this match, undefeated.
• Last time out, the Colonials tied Saint Francis in Loretto, Pa., 2-2.
• At the Red Flash, Kai McLoughlin scored his second goal of the season, off another assist by Anass Hadran. John Paul Mbuthia scored the second goal, picking up his first collegiate goal. On the play, Logan Gilley and William Dodzi Afawubo earned an assist.
• RMU's previous win came in their last game at Bucknell, winning 3-2.
• A big first half proved to be the difference as RMU hammered in three goals. Kai McLoughlin ripped in his first of the year off a long pass by Anass Hadran into space. Gabe Norris followed up with his second goal of the campaign. And, senior Chase Gilley recorded his first goal of the year, which would go down as the game-winner in Lewisburg, Pa.
• In the first game of the season, head coach Jonathan Potter along with his assistants Abraham Lopez-Mendoza and Austin Gorman, earned their first victory for RMU, beating VMI, 5-0.
• The coaching staff will coach their first Horizon League conference game of the season, tomorrow at NKU.

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

The All-Time Series (Northern Kentucky) – Overall, this series has been even, as the Colonials are 2-2 all-time against the Norse. Before entering the Horizon League, RMU faced NKU one time in 2018, losing 2-3. In their first year of Horizon League action, the Colonials fell, 0-2 at the North Athletic Complex. Since then, RMU is riding a two-game win streak against the opposing program. In 2021, they won 1-0, and most recently last year, the Colonials were victorious again, beating NKU, 2-1. Chase Gilley provided a two-assist effort in that win. Sophomore Victor Koah added a secondary assist on the game-winning goal and up top, Hugo Kadima scored his first of the year in that game.
 
Scouting the Norse – In 2022, the Norse finished with a 4-11-2 overall record, and were 2-6-1 in conference games. On last year's team, Sam Robinson was the leading scorer, posting six goals and two assists. Deryn Armstrong was second on the team with five goals and two assists. And, leading the team in assists with seven, was Christian Sjolander. On defense, senior Roberto Burlew led the defense in minutes played, being on the pitch for 1418 minutes. Simon Knuewe returned to the 2023 squad, after playing 1456 minutes in the midfield in 2022, and produced three goals.
 
So far, in 2023, the Norse have collected three ties. Northern Kentucky played all three in Kentucky with the first two at home and the last in Louisville. They tied UAB 1-1, Florida Gulf Coast 1-1 and Bellarmine, 0-0. On their two goals through this year's campaign, Joseph Roddy and Nico Stoddart each have a goal. And, Roberto Burlew and Ben Hegge each have a helper. In net, sophomore Nic Lemen has played most of the minutes, earning all three ties, making 10 saves and allowing one goal.
 
#HLMSOC BEGINS
Last year, the Colonials ended with a 4-3-2 record in Horizon League competition. In conference play, they picked up wins against Northern Kentucky 2-1, Milwaukee 5-0, Detroit Mercy 2-0, and IUPUI 5-0. RMU qualified for the 2022 Horizon League playoffs as the #5 seed, facing #4 Oakland in the first round. They fell just short, tying Oakland after double-overtime, 2-2, and losing in PK's, 6-5. Head Coach Jonathan Potter and his staff will get their first taste of conference action as they take on the NKU Norse tomorrow night. Saturday's game will be the first of nine conference games in the 2023 campaign.
 
HORIZON HEADLINES
After playing four non-conference games, before Horizon League begins, RMU is currently ranked at the top of the #HLMSOC standings. The Colonials win percentage of .750 is the best. Potter's offense has been effective in each game, as they're number one in scoring as well, with 11 goals. Gabe Norris ranks second in the conference in goals with two and Anass Hadran along with freshman Tim Koczulap are second in assists with two apiece.

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