MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – With just 38 seconds remaining, junior captain
Paloma Swankler delivered a clutch goal to propel RMU to a 2-1 victory over Wright State. The win guarantees RMU a spot in the Horizon League playoffs as they improve to 5-5-6 overall and 4-2-3 in conference play.
FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS
- In a quiet first half, Wright State broke through with a goal in the 37th minute to lead 1-0.
- RMU produced four shots and five corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes, but couldn't find the net.
SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS
- RMU equalized in the 62nd minute when Swankler crossed the ball from the left side, and Taylor Day tapped it in for her third goal of the season.
- The intensity escalated with yellow cards issued to Caitlin Burger (76') and Emily Rocco (77'), with another to Haleigh Finale in the 88th minute.
- In the final seconds, freshman Madison Hurst crossed from the left to find Swankler at the near post, who slotted it home to clinch the 2-1 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Wright State outshot RMU 13-9, including a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. RMU earned seven corner kicks compared to Wright State's four. Swankler led RMU with four shots and three on target. Six Colonials—
Jillian Marvin,
Ava Trethewey,
Julia Becerra,
Shauna Gamble,
Emily Rocco, and
Taylor Day—played the full 90 minutes, while goalkeeper
Brenna Murray tallied four saves, earning her fifth win.
CLUTCH PERFORMANCE
Junior captain
Paloma Swankler continues to deliver for RMU, scoring her second game-winning goal of the season. With an assist on Day's goal, Swankler now has six goals and four assists, totaling 16 points—ranking fourth in the Horizon League.
HEATING UP
Taylor Day netted her third goal of the season and second in back-to-back games. She now has seven career goals and five assists, showing her offensive prowess as RMU heads toward the playoffs.
PLAYOFF BOUND
With the win, RMU clinched a spot in the Horizon League Playoffs for the second consecutive year. They currently sit fourth in the standings with 15 points.
COACH RICK'S POSTGAME THOUGHTS
"It was a huge Senior Day result for us in a high-pressure, emotional game. We went down first but stayed focused, dug deep, and found a way to equalize and ultimately put the game away at the buzzer. I am very proud of the way this team played for each other today."
UP NEXT
RMU wraps up the regular season at home against Youngstown State on Wednesday, October 30, with a 3:00 PM kickoff at the North Athletic Complex.
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